We are getting ever closer to kick off at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, with England and the All Blacks set to collide in this seismic Autumn Series clash. There is a plethora of talent set to light up the home of English rugby, and we’ve selected three key battles to keep an eye on ahead of kick off.
1: BEN EARL v ARDIE SAVEA
A fearsome battle within the back row, England and New Zealand currently boast two of the best number eights across World Rugby. The closed roof of the Forsyth Barr Stadium was barely able to enclose these two titans, when Earl and Savea met time and again in the viciously contested breakdowns last Summer.
Earl has made it clear in previous England press conferences, that he is gunning for the title of World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year. Conveniently, the prestigious award is currently held by Ardie Savea, and should the Saracen silence the giant from Wellington this afternoon, he would continue to build his claim to take home the honour at the end of the year. Back on England’s tour to New Zealand last Summer, Savea and Earl where complimentary of one another, in the run up to the second Test at Eden Park.
“Yeah, Ben’s nice ay. he’s got good feet at the line.” Savea said inn July. “And you know, he plays really well and is a strong ball carrier. Yeah, that’s something that we need to identify and nullify, but It’d be very hard for us as a team. That’s how we want to play, get the ball in our hands, and jam.” – Savea
“I’m a big fan of Ben (Earl), how he plays it’s kind of similar to myself. He’s pretty swaggy with the ball and runs hard and he’s got some good feet.”
Ben Earl was able to give a fresh reaction to what it was like to take on the All Blacks back row, as he spoke to the media hot off the frozen pitch in Dunedin. Speaking from the heart at the home of the Highlanders, Earl expressed his frustration at the defeat but also gained valuable experience ahead of the second Test.
“It was great to test yourself against some of the best in the world in terms of Ardie and Dalton Papali’I and those guys. It was a really hard fought battle with myself, Sam (Underhill), Chandler (Cunningham-South), Tom Curry coming off the bench, we good value for the most part of that game. We can hold our heads high in that regard and look forward to kicking on for another battle next week.”
2. FLY HALF: MARCUS SMITH v BEAUDEN BARRETT
We are set for a tantalising battle between two of the most exciting players to wear the 10 shirt. Beginning with Marcus Smith, and Steve Borthwick has selected the Harlequin to lead the line despite the availability of both George Ford and Fin Smith. Marcus Smith is chomping at the bit to bring the fight to the All Blacks, after returning from the Summer tour ‘gutted’ with the two defeats.
“We’re gutted, but very proud of the efforts in the last five or six weeks.” Smith said after England ended their Summer campaign. “I think we’ve built as a group from that Japan performance. It was close but no cigar last week and then this week, again, we knew it was a new challenge again with all the history here. But not once did I think about it in the week or not once did I doubt that we could or would get the job done. We’re bitterly disappointed with the result in the end but we can’t fault the boys’ efforts.”
Barrett made the move back to fly half for the final match of the 2024 Rugby Championship, having been unleashed off the bench or in the 15 jersey for the All Blacks seven previous Tests of 2024. Barrett steered the ship for New Zealand’s bonus point win over the Wallabies (33-13), but was unused for the recent trip to take on Eddie Jones’ Japan.
Beauden is one of three Barrett’s that are set to bring the fight to England, as he lines up alongside his brother Jordie in the backs, with Scott Barrett leading the side as skipper. The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Beauden Barrett going tee-to-tee with Marcus Smith is certainly an unmissable battle within the war.
3. LOCK: MARO ITOJE vs SCOTT BARRETT
The battle of the engine room sees England’s Maro Itoje go up against Scott Barrett, with the All Blacks captain looking to build upon his first two wins as All Blacks skipper this past Summer. Dunedin was the venue to host Barrett’s maiden charge at the helm of the side, with Itoje out to ruin the Autumn momentum as his returns home to the Allianz for England’s first match of the Autumn.
It is no secret that Maro Itoje is widely respected by the All Blacks fans, pundits and former players. The second-most capped All Black lock of all time, Ian Jones, was full of praise for the Saracen, as he previewed the second row as England’s biggest threat around the hotly contested breakdown. Ian Jones spoke exclusively to Ruck at Auckland’s All Blacks Experience expedition and said;
“Itoje is just sensational, what an incredible man both on and off the field. I first laid eyes on him quite a few years ago when he actually captained the England under 20s, who had a world tournament here and I was mightily impressive both on and off the field then, and that hasn’t changed. So he was an absolute standout.”
Only second in lock Test caps for the All Blacks to Sam Whitelock, Ian Jones stands upon a position of authority when casting his opinion upon the All Blacks skipper. Speaking on how Scott Barrett impressed him as he lead the side to a narrow 16-15 victory over England at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Ian Jones said;
“(Razor) May elevate his game, he’s a hell of a player anyway. But the great thing about Scotty Barrett is as captain is he’s a classic New Zealander. New Zealand will get them behind him because he is hard working. He is kind of staunch, ruthless, he is just a quintessential New Zealander and New Zealanders love him. The team will love him, they’ll get behind him, he’s a hell of a player who will go the whole 80.”
