🔗 Share this article

Picking your top lineup for a major match contest feels increasingly quaint these days, bringing back thoughts of different times such as vintage television. To the point that you might nearly expect finding this England lineup to face the All Blacks this weekend printed in a jumbled sequence. Even with New Zealand visiting, this traditional method for picking players no longer hold true.

Emphasis on the Final Stages

Instead, the focus is all about the game concludes. On this occasion, Steve Borthwick opted to selected six experienced players for the bench compared to only four in the first XV. Around during the 50-minute mark this weekend, there will be a mass substitution involving fresh players joining the field. As South Africa's famous "Bomb Squad" has demonstrated, such a approach is extremely difficult to counter.

Potential Pitfall

However, comes one minor issue. When facing one of the globe's second-best sides, it is crucial to start strongly too. Waiting until the introduction from key replacements like Ellis Genge and others could seem not so brilliant if New Zealand take a significant advantage early on, like against the Scots at Murrayfield.

But that's the modern approach for you. Furthermore few know more knowledgeable about this topic than the England coach, as he sat out multiple matches as an unused bench during his playing days.

Historical Context

Among those occasions, Borthwick recalled this week, was a notable Test against New Zealand abroad back in 2003, where the forwards were cut down due to disciplinary issues. At that time, he along with fellow substitutes remained unused for the entire match.

Conversely, during a match in Italy the previous year, Clive Woodward introduced multiple experienced leaders around the hour mark, a move memorably described as "an exceptionally strong substitutes since."

Current Plan

The current team's bench choices almost rivals those for "Big Dog" vibes, with the team obviously hoping to overtake the opposition in the final 20 minutes. "Each match we have faced against them has gone toward the end," the coach stated. "Therefore it's crucial the right personnel available to close out the game... having such a degree of experience among substitutes is also a key advantage for the team."

Spectator Perspective

There will be fans paying premium prices for tickets at the stadium wondering whether reduced pricing could be offered if matches now effectively depend on only 20-odd minutes rather than the entire 80 minutes. Seriously, though, exists a further quietly persuasive reason: which is the coach's confidence toward younger talents such as Joe Heyes is grown sufficiently strong so that the "best" first lineup is not exactly as many fans would think.

Selection Decisions

Whether this qualifies Borthwick as "a bold coach" is not something he inclined to discuss – "I'm not go for labels... I try to select the strongest team possible for success" – yet the team's ongoing run of nine Test wins consecutively has strengthened his belief that international the sport is more of a 23-man game.

"In my view each player recognizes that it's a collective endeavor. All the individuals here assisting us get ready all contribute. That kind of unselfish attitude hasn't necessarily existed present in an past squads. It was not my experience during my time as playing."

Delicate Decisions

Some difficult judgments have had to be made, however, with injuries of key players. Borthwick additionally notes he feels "spoilt with options" at fly-half, and on this occasion, the decision Northampton's young talent that is omitted completely. Considering the damp weather forecast, choosing an experienced player in the pivotal role is not a major surprise, while the security the All Blacks' back three under high balls is sure to be examined frequently.

Know-How and Versatility

Additionally, comes the extra importance of seasoned players together with necessity for a bench option that can fill in other positions, especially as a key player still completely ready. "It was possible to picked any of the three fly-halves and be sat now saying about how they're the best player since I believe each one is excellent," Borthwick said. "George provides very calm leader but also possesses the ability to bring everyone together driving them onto the front foot. It's what I'll be looking for him to do this weekend."

Closing Outlook

Will it all be enough? The team were defeated in all meetings against the All Blacks previously by a total difference of just a small amount, and regarding converting opportunities, the opposition are as sharp ever. In that scenario, it's likely a strong possibility of a close contest that could boil down to the final 20 minutes. Which is clearly what this approach are expecting.