Jamie George calls for composure as England face All Blacks

England hooker Jamie George has urged his teammates to focus on execution and composure rather than reputation when they meet New Zealand at Twickenham on November 15.

The fixture, the highlight of England’s Autumn Nations Series, will test their recent resurgence against one of world rugby’s most formidable sides.

England’s last home victory against the All Blacks came in 2012, though their most recent win overall was the famous 19-7 World Cup semifinal triumph in 2019.

Now, following a commanding 38-18 win over Fiji that marked their ninth successive victory, Steve Borthwick’s men are determined to measure their progress against elite opposition.

George, who came off the bench to score against Fiji, said England must embrace the occasion without being distracted by New Zealand’s aura.

“A lot of teams sit back because of their incredible history and players. We’ve done that before. This time, we want to impose ourselves, stay calm, and deliver,” he said.

Praising the All Blacks’ depth and current form, George noted that England’s approach must be deliberate and precise.

“You’ve got to be at your best because they’re not just another team,” he said.

“They’ve got world-class players everywhere. We need a clear game plan and to execute it perfectly.”

England’s improvement under Borthwick marks a sharp turnaround from a turbulent 2024 season marred by seven defeats in 11 Tests.

George believes the team’s growing belief and cohesion can now translate into a statement performance against the All Blacks, who narrowly defeated Scotland 25-17 at Murrayfield in their previous encounter.