Pity a household with split English and Australian loyalties, for these are busy and uncomfortable weeks. In rugby league, football and now rugby union, a travelling menagerie of arriving antipodeans have travelled north to test themselves against their favourite foe; the Kangaroos successfully, the Matildas rather less so. The familiar mocking woodworms herald an Ashes down under and accompanying phoney war on the way; heck, even Formula One title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are best of Anglo-Australian frenemies at McLaren.
One hundred and fifty years since it sparked in the last days of colonialism, this rivalry still burns brightly. England players who toured with the Lions in the summer have since marvelled at a welcome that was hospitable and hostile in equal measure, whetting the appetite for what may face the Poms on their return for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. With the Ashes in mind, Steve Borthwick recently met with Brendon McCullum to pick the brains of an unorthodox coach who has transformed the perception of English Test cricket, and to wish his side well in their attempt to finally conquer Australia in their own backyard again.
