🔗 Share this article England's captain Admonishes Squad Against Stand in Awe at All Blacks' Aura Jamie George has cautioned that Steve Borthwick's side must avoid being intimidated by the All Blacks' legendary status if they aim to achieve their maiden home victory over the visitors in over a decade this Saturday. Team Updates Ahead of Pivotal Fixture Steve Borthwick got a welcome boost with Elliot Daly recovering from injury and available for his first appearance since sustaining an injury on Lions tour, while the full-back and the wing featured in the 37-man group announced on Sunday night. Recent Performances Differs with Past Struggles England host New Zealand after stretching their unbeaten run to nine games with a decisive 38-18 victory over the Pacific Islanders, again pulling away in the final quarter. This strong run marks a dramatic shift from a year ago, when the team endured six defeats in seven outings, each by fine margins. Three of those losses came against the Kiwis—two on the overseas tour and a 24-22 loss at home after George Ford failed with late goal attempts. The All Blacks narrowly edged out the Scots on the weekend to keep hopes of a clean sweep alive, and while the Springboks cemented their top ranking, the captain has hailed New Zealand as “perhaps the top team in the world.” In the previous 11 meetings, the team's only victory over New Zealand was during the global tournament semi, and the visitors have not been beaten in the last five fixtures at Twickenham. George's Insight on Facing the All Blacks “Many sides tend to is sit back in admiration of the All Blacks with their history and all their incredible players,” said former captain George. “It’s tempting to do that. I have done it in the past. We must remember we’ll be back here at Allianz Stadium. It’s an honour to be playing here. We are going to do everything we can to come out on top. “You have to be at your peak. New Zealand are without doubt the strongest team in the world at the minute. They are a exceptionally skilled team and they seem to raise a level when they come to Allianz Stadium. The important thing for us to do is identify where we could have been better in the first half last time. Additionally, develop a defined strategy which can put them under as much stress as we possibly can. By doing so, we’ll create a opportunity. “We faced a bit of heat last year for not coming out on the winning end of tight games and not finding a way to win. Currently, we’re doing the exact opposite. By no means have we cracked it. But we’ve placed a big emphasis on the latter stages of games and finishing strongly. Notching however many tries in the last quarter of that game is a mark of a quality team.” Borthwick's Outlook and Team Adjustments The England coach is again expected to make a number of adjustments to his side, with captain the lock, the flanker, and the fly-half all set to be reinstated to the starting lineup. Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso both suffered issues against Fiji but have been included in the group preparing to face New Zealand. “We aim to test our mettle against the top sides and [New Zealand] are among best teams,” said Borthwick. “Our team is youthful, we’re developing, I think we’re improving quickly and we’re keen to learn. So I’m sure the upcoming will be a great assessment for us.” Earl's Take on Progress The number eight, in addition, believes that England’s current capacity to break away in the dying minutes of matches is largely due to their triple close losses by New Zealand the previous year. “You feel battle-hardened, you feel like you’ve been through battles, you’ve developed the scar tissue to learn from those losses, and they hurt at the time,” said the back-rower, who was awarded player of the game against Fiji. “But I wonder to a man in the changing room, would we have changed our journey now, with the success that we’re now enjoying? I’d be interested to know because I think they’re extremely valuable lessons.”