The Telegraph's Gavin Mairs Previews Second All Blacks-England Rugby Test at Eden Park

Gavin Mairs - chief rugby writer for The Telegraph in the UK - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport to preview the second All Blacks-England rugby test at Auckland's Eden Park this weekend. The New Zealand men haven't lost at the ground in 30 years, and last tasted defeat on home soil against England in 2003. Despite statistics and history being against them though, England will no doubt fancy their chances after a tightly contested opening match in Dunedin a week ago, that the All Blacks won by a slender point.
Mairs and Devlin discuss all the key preview elements of the test coming up including the All Blacks' response to an underwhelming performance last week, and England's style of play under coach Steve Borthwick.
Listen to the full interview with Martin Devlin & Gavin Mairs at theplatform.kiwi/
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[@jim8790]

Where is Mex, Martin? I always appreciated his analysis when you spoke to him. Please get him back on regularly.

[@fossilmatic]

That idea that the ABs usually “only lose one test a year” doesn’t bear a lot of scrutiny beyond the Hansen years from 2010-2016. Winning every game by a distance appears to be a recently invented myth based on the exploits of an extraordinary team (GOAT player, best 10 ever, best midfield pairing ever, etc etc). Growing up I was always on edge for every test, In 1979 Australia crossed a threshold and became a serious foe where before they weren’t really taken seriously. For Argentina and Ireland to make that step is an acknowledgement of their development, not some serious flaw in the ABs culture. If you followed the ABs between 2010 and 2016 keep those memories as special ones, similar to my father’s memories of the 53 defeat of the Springboks, or finally winning a series against the Boks in SA in 96. Expecting those levels every season, every team cycle, of every coaching team is arrogant, bordering on perverse. The highlight of my years as a fan to date was getting to witness Christian Cullen play, even though the ABs did not win the World Cup while he was in the team. I’m grateful to my team that I shared those moments, regardless of the winning stats. Greatness come from how you play the game, not having the most wins… and that is why everyone else holds the ABs in high esteems. Perhaps their own country needs to do the same.

[@nepiahemopo1702]

Great summary a purist of the game.

[@joedennehy386]

There was no bokke tour in 1953, you mean 1956, then 65 I think Well written comment, fozzie was the 2nd worst ab coach statistically , after Mains. Scott Robertson will have a much better record, as he is a much better coach in my view

[@center__mass]

cullen was unreal, i was in the Belfast for the first win in SA will never forget it as someone threw a grenade into the shop i bought my leather jacket in the next day 🎉

[@killerangel4613]

Razor and co will take ABs back to number 1, just a matter of time 😊

[@Damcarnivore]

Cullen was my favorite player, he was just so smooth

[@joedennehy386]

The professor is analysing the England game as we speak, he will find a way through the defence

[@71bootneck]

It’s a Jaques Nieaber blueprint that Felix Jones took to England. JN said at the beginning with Boks it will take 8 games for players to trust in the system and eachother. You starting to see that now with England.

[@ataimd]

Ooh where did u hear that?

[@Holloweve]

How the actual, can the ABS still be surprised by the rush defense…. Not really reasonable anymore

[@CoolCoyote]

robertsons holding back obviously he knows what to do with rush def

[@Damcarnivore]

I missed seeing any Abs from 2005-2017 so I was surprised to hear we were winning almost 90%