England fly-half George Ford adn captain Owen Farrell have called on their team to aggressively challenge New Zealand in all facets of the game as they prepare for their upcoming match, aiming to replicate-and surpass-their 2019 World Cup semi-final appearance against the All Blacks. The call to arms comes as England seeks to break a recent pattern of narrow defeats against New Zealand, including a 24-22 loss last year.
This contest carries significant weight for England, with six members of the current squad also having featured in the 2019 semi-final. A victory would not only represent a crucial win in the Autumn nations Series but also signal a shift in momentum for a team striving to consistently compete at the highest level. Ford, who previously missed late penalty attempts that could have secured victory a year ago, emphasized the need for a proactive approach. “There is a belief, 100%, you can feel that in the week,” he said. “And you are exactly right. You’ve got to go at a team like this in every area of the game. When we’ve got the ball, we’ve got to go at them. And when they’ve got the ball, we’ve got to go at them. The kicking game, the set piece, we’ve got to go at them.”
England’s preparations also include acknowledging the psychological impact of facing the haka.Tighthead prop Joe Heyes indicated the team does not currently plan a specific response to the customary Māori challenge, rather hoping their performance will galvanize the Twickenham crowd. “I don’t think so, no. Let’s hope our rugby [gets the crowd going]. When our backs are against the wall or we’re going well, the crowd here really does rev you up and it does help because you are blowing. You kind of forget they’re there sometimes and to know they’re there supporting you is massive for us.”
The match is scheduled for November 14, 2025, and will be a key test of England’s progress under their current coaching setup.
