SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: What this England team should learn from Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Geoff Hurst for All Blacks showdown

By James On Nov 2, 2024

Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Chris Hoy are two of Britain’s greatest athletes.

Their achievements in winning the 1966 World Championships and six Olympic cycling golds respectively have earned them a place in the pantheon of greats. The reason I mention these two is that they have both been in the news this week telling the remarkable stories of their sporting journeys.

As Sports Director of Team GB, I had the privilege of seeing Hoy perform on the biggest stage and under immense pressure. The way he shares his devastating news of his terminal cancer diagnosis with such courage is a testament to what an extraordinary person he is. The stories of Hurst and Hoy should be lessons for England today. Steve Borthwick’s side must learn how to win when it matters most, starting against New Zealand on Saturday.

England should have beaten the All Blacks 2-0 in July. Instead, they lost both tests. Over the two games, both teams were evenly matched, which was cause for celebration for many people. But the lack of the killer instinct to win would, I am sure, have left England uneasy. That should be the case.

South Africa have won the last two World Cups and are clearly number 1 in the world, but New Zealand was the team I always wanted to beat most. They are always the ultimate test. You can’t give the All Blacks a bigger compliment than that. England certainly have the ability to beat New Zealand.

The way Sir Chris Hoy shares the news of his terminal cancer diagnosis with such courage is a testament to what an extraordinary person he is

England’s 1966 World Cup hero was also in the news, talking about his extraordinary journey

England should have beaten the All-Blacks 2-0 in July, but instead they ended up losing both Tests

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Borthwick have picked a good team, but when it was announced my reaction was somewhat muted. The selection didn’t hit me in the face with excitement. England have a settled side and have clearly identified a new, more adventurous style of play. But to beat New Zealand you have to play 80 minutes faster than them. That’s the key. In the summer England played as fast, if not faster, than New Zealand, but for only an hour. They got off to a bad start last quarter and paid the price for it.

THE THREE KEY COLLISIONS OF Sir Clive

Marcus Smith vs. Beauden Barrett: What a match this is between two players who are probably worth the ticket price alone, no matter how high it is! Barrett is back at number 10 for the All Blacks in place of Damian McKenzie. It will be a huge challenge for Smith, who must get England up to a high-octane pace.

Henry Slade vs Rieko Ioane: New Zealand will look to expose Slade’s lack of minutes this season. Ioane caused a bloodbath the last time the All Blacks played in London. Slade is key to England’s blitz defence, but he will need to put the money on both sides of the ball to keep New Zealand quiet. It will be a big ask for him.

Jamie George vs. Codie Taylor: These are two beautiful whores. Despite their speed behind the scrum, New Zealand have a world-class front row. Their replacements in that area are just as good as their starters. English captain George and Co must hold their own to have a chance of success. His counterpart Taylor is in brilliant form.

I hope I’m wrong, but I wonder if this England team has the skill or fitness to play at a breakneck pace for the entire match. That’s what it takes to win. There has been some fantastic play in the Premier League this season, especially from Bristol, and that’s the kind of high-octane rugby England will need.

I would have really gone for it for this game if I had been in Borthwick’s shoes and had my team score at least five tries. I would have chosen Alex Lozowski and Tommy Freeman as the center pair, Harry Randall as scrum half and Ollie Sleightholme as winger. I fear a start against New Zealand after just 54 minutes of club rugby will be a step too far for Henry Slade. For me, Freeman is an excellent striker who would be brilliant if he played regularly at 13.

The England team that will play out at Twickenham (for me it will always be Twickenham!) is certainly good enough to win.

I was pleased to hear that England’s leading players recognized the need for wins, even against the best teams. England should never accept heroic defeats.

Borthwick has done an excellent job, but he has been in this role for almost two years. This fall is a huge campaign for him and the team. England play the big three from the southern hemisphere, as well as Japan. It is undoubtedly a tough schedule.

Claim some big sums this month and it will do wonders for England’s confidence. The build-up to the All Blacks game was dominated by Joe Marler’s comments about the Haka. I smiled when I saw them. Nice Joe, especially considering you weren’t selected!

The run-up to the match had been relatively quiet up until then. The Haka always provides a topic of conversation. But one thing is clear. You never win or lose a match with New Zealand. As far as I’m concerned it has no influence on the match. It makes it. Those who say it gives the All Blacks an unfair advantage are only saying that after their team has been defeated, normally by the better side!

Of the two number 10s – Marcus Smith and Beauden Barrett – the one who spends more time on the front foot with a fast ball will be the better.

I love it, it’s great theatre. It is inconceivable that New Zealand would not do this.

The New Zealand team is full of pace. The fact that Jordie Barrett is fit to start at number 12 after a knee injury is huge for them. In Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane – to name just four – the All Blacks have players who won’t wonder. Scott Robertson, their head coach, had Damian McKenzie at fly-half this summer but has reverted to Beauden Barrett for England. The three Barrett brothers – Captain Scott is the other – are remarkable players. Beauden in particular is a real great.

Some say it’s past its sell-by date. I don’t see it. His fight with Marcus Smith is mouthwatering.

Of the two number 10s – Smith and Beauden Barrett – it will likely be the one who spends more time on the front foot with a fast ball coming out on top.

England must shift quickly into fifth gear and never take their foot off the accelerator. If they do that, they have a good chance to start their fall with a famous victory.