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Only a world-class England can stop the All Blacks making Grand Slam history again
by James Lawler on 27 November 2008
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For the All Blacks it's the final game of the year and a chance to make rugby history by becoming the third All Blacks team to win the Grand Slam since 1978 and 2005. It will also mean that they will win the Sir Edmond Hillary Cup for the first time if they beat England.
The English media have been having a go at their team after they suffrered one of the worst defeats of all time at Twickenham, losing 42-6 to South Africa.
But that will not stop England trying to beat the All Blacks, who come into the game unchanged except for the recall of Conrad Smith to replace Richard Kahui in the centre.
Graham Henry has surely won back his spurs after winning the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations. He has managed to keep the team pretty much together and they have put up some superb defence in not letting the opposition score a try in the second half. But they need to keep it out wide in the backs and continue to play the great rugby we know they can play.
England have been poor this season, losing to the Wallabies because of mistakes, poor discipline and shocking kicking by Danny Cipriani. It's difficult to explain their shocking performance against the Springboks. They had the balll for long periods but couldn't get into the game.
England have to play the English style of rugby, keeping it in the forwards to create chances, kick the ball into the corners and play for possession and terriorry to keep the All Blacks under pressure.
Maybe all the bad attention might get them hyped up and they could be in with a chance. But the All Blacks will be too strong for them and I expect them to have a 35-point winning margin at the final whistle. I have been proved wrong in the past, but not this time.
Should the All Blacks beat England convincingly they can put to rest the disappointment of the World Cup when they lost to France in the quarter-finals.
Comments (1)
by Greg Smith on November 27, 2008
Nice try ----> you should tryout for the Les Bleus... nothings going to bed and if you CHOKE the world will know HOW you cheats tried to manufacture a face-saving 2008 by crooking your way through the Tri Nations....Kiwi's = cousins of crims !
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