England came close to victory last Saturday but their aggressive defense has caught New Zealand's attention. Should the Kiwis rebound and level the series on Saturday, it would be due in part to England's ability to condense space and restrict one of rugby's top backfields.
Despite New Zealand managing two tries during their 16-15 win against England in Dunedin, England struggled with their tackles. The unyielding approach by the white-shirted defenders was noticeable throughout. As long as Felix Jones continues his role, this strategy is expected to persist.
Felix Jones, who played for Ireland and previously worked on South Africa's World Cup team in 2019, brings a straightforward philosophy to English rugby: "At some point, you're either the one moving the ball or trying to stop it – where does that interaction lead?" He emphasizes that most defenses aim to limit space; however, effectiveness is often linked to tackling proficiency.
Henry Slade spearheads England's offensive pressure on New Zealand's midfield, a strategy with inherent risks against skilled opponents like Damian McKenzie and Rieko Ioane. Jones notes that New Zealand's prowess in ball handling makes them formidable to counteract.
According to Jones, success against teams like New Zealand requires being at the pinnacle of strategy, execution, physicality, and intensity. Slade's defensive leadership has been valuable this season; head coach Steve Borthwick praises him as a key figure in England's defense improvement efforts.
While acknowledging ongoing development, Jones admits that adjusting to the various Premiership systems complicates their strategy. Nonetheless, he emphasizes continuous progression as the goal. The English team also focuses on improving set plays and has confidence in upcoming matches despite injuries. New Zealand will miss TJ Perenara's presence for the upcoming game due to a knee injury suffered during the last match.
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