England are set to take on New Zealand in the Quilter Nations Series at Twickenham on Saturday, 15 November, with kick-off at 15:10 GMT. Coach Steve Borthwick is banking on a combination of tactical ingenuity, mental preparation, and bench strength to finally overcome a team that has frustrated England in recent encounters.

England’s Recent Struggles Against the All Blacks

Over the past trilogy of matches in 2024, England consistently held leads against New Zealand—by two points in Dunedin, four at Eden Park, and eight at Twickenham—only to fall late as the All Blacks finished stronger. The pattern has been clear: England’s intensity dips in the closing stages, allowing New Zealand to capitalize.

Borthwick aims to rewrite that narrative.

The Super-Subs Strategy

For this fixture, England’s bench is stacked with proven performers. Front-row replacements Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Will Stuart—all British & Irish Lions tourists—will inject experience, while Fin Baxter and Joe Heyes start in the relatively inexperienced prop positions.

Back-row powerhouse Tom Curry, along with Henry Pollock and Marcus Smith, provide a second-wave of game-changing impact. This “23-player approach” has been central to England’s nine-Test winning streak.

Strength and conditioning expert Ben Pollard explains the rationale: “Substitutes almost buffer fatigue, superseding running outputs and contacts per minute of ball in play… when you have that even spread of talent across the 23, why not bring as good a player on at 45 or 50 minutes?”

This tactic first shone against France in February, where late replacements secured a dramatic win. England have won every match since employing this strategy.

Breathwork and Mental Clarity

Physical depth alone isn’t enough. England have incorporated breathwork and psychological preparation to maintain focus under pressure. Sports psychologist David Priestley has emphasized rapid mental clarity during breaks in play.

Sam Underhill, key in England’s 2019 World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand, highlights the importance of clear communication: “You don’t have an awful lot of time… it’s about being as clear and concise as possible. The more understanding we have as a group, the easier it is for decision-makers to act effectively in the moment.”

This focus on mental resilience complements the physical impact of the super-subs, ensuring that England can execute strategy with precision during the most critical phases of the match.

Closing Stages: Where England Excel

Recent matches against Australia and Fiji have shown England’s ability to surge in the final quarter, reflecting improvements in carrying, set-pieces, and tempo. Only world champions South Africa have averaged more final-quarter points than England among top-tier nations this year.

While some critics argue England might benefit from fielding star players earlier, Borthwick trusts the bench to manage fatigue, maintain pace, and create decisive moments in the closing stages—potentially giving England the edge against the All Blacks.

A Tactical Showdown at Twickenham

England are not alone in backloading talent; South Africa’s “Bomb Squad” and New Zealand’s bench threats, including Wallace Sititi and Damian McKenzie, demonstrate that late-game impact can be decisive.

For England, success on Saturday will require a perfect blend of tactical discipline, physical depth, and mental clarity—a combination of breathwork and strategic super-subs designed to finally overcome a formidable All Blacks side.