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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Robert Kitson in Christchurch

Borthwick backing England to show mental strength to handle All Blacks

Steve Borthwick receives a pass during the warm-up before England’s win against Japan in Tokyo
Steve Borthwick before England’s win against Japan. The coach said: ‘What I keep seeing from these players is that they love a challenge.’ Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters

Steve Borthwick insists the days of England rugby teams being cannon fodder in New Zealand are over as his side await their two-Test series against the All Blacks. The head coach says he played in teams who were mentally beaten before they stepped off the plane but he believes the current squad are a different breed.

While England have not toured New Zealand for a decade and have failed to win on Kiwi soil since 2003, Borthwick and his players have flown south determined to show the balance of global rugby power is shifting. They are also motivated by the possibility of becoming the first English team to beat the All Blacks in a multi-Test series.

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