England have been hit by a late blow as they prepare to make history at Eden Park and square the series against the All Blacks, with fullback George Furbank ruled out due to a back injury.
Furbank, an impressive performer in the All Blacks’ first Test 16-15 victory, woke up with the issue today and has been replaced by Freddie Steward.
The All Blacks may have breathed a little sigh of relief at the news. Furbank’s running from the back challenged the home side in Dunedin, and Steward, while good under the high ball, does not pose quite such a threat.
“With Freddie Steward at the back, we understand his strengths,” assistant coach Scott Hansen said today.
“He’s very strong in the air. He’s a big, composed boy. They will adjust. We could expect them to go to the air more. They’re all things we’ve acknowledged. England will focus on what they do well and their DNA and Freddie Steward is a class fullback.”
Hansen, speaking in bright sunshine at Eden Park this afternoon, said his side had prepared well this week.
Asked what advice he had for potential Test debutant Cortez Ratima, the former halfback replied: "Just enjoy your game, son."
Skipper Scott Barrett, speaking after the captain’s run, said he expected England to be better than last weekend.
“No two Test matches are the same and England are certainly going to be better. That’s what our focus has been on – our group getting better to put in a performance to be proud of.
“After a good run today, we’re ready to go.”
Of the narrow win in Dunedin, he said: “It was a great reminder actually about what Test matches are like. It was an arm wrestle, a battle against a team that hangs in there.
“Contests in every dimension of the game – kick, set piece, breakdown - tomorrow night will be nothing short of that again.”
Asked what he had learned from his first Test as Sam Cane’s replacement as leader, Barrett said: “Honestly, I was just happy to get out there and play rugby. It was a big lead up, quite an intense camp and a Test week with a new coaching group that is feeling their way into a Test week as well. Less so the 80 minutes, more navigating the week.”
England coach Steve Borthwick said this week he was told by an All Blacks fan at Dunedin airport after the first Test that New Zealand would "win with style" this weekend — an expectation he felt could weigh heavily.
This was after he said the All Blacks’ 30-year undefeated record at the stadium could pose similar issues.
Asked whether the All Blacks would turn on the flair tomorrow, Barrett said: "Test match rugby – there’s different styles of play and England force you into a pressure sort of game. That’s rush defence, high balls, breakdown pressure. That’s the battle.
"Sometimes they will take your game away from you – the expansive All Black game. Our challenge is to win the breakdown, get good ball, and hopefully we can play some of that All Black rugby."
When queried whether the All Blacks’ record had been talked about this week, he said: “We touch on it briefly and get on with the job — and that’s preparing for a Test match.”
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