Woodward blasé about New Zealand ‘myths’

CLIVE WOODWARD yesterday declared himself unconcerned about what “myths” the New Zealanders may have of English rugby and instead promised his side would go all-out to succeed on their three-match tour Down Under in the most effective style possible.

Since the Aukland Blues and their sensational wingers won the Super 12 much has been made here of the expansive, line-breaking style that is expected to characterise the All Blacks' play through to the World Cup.

Over the Tasman Sea, former Australia captain John Eales has pointed to the Wallabies taking similar steps in a bid to exploit the try-scoring potential of their own back three.

But despite boasting exciting stars of their own, including Jason Robinson, Ben Cohen and Josh Lewsey, much of Australasia see England only as a forwards-based outfit, looking to keep play tight and grind down the opposition.

"There are a lot of myths that you carry with you in this job, but you just don't worry about what people say," replied Woodward after he was asked whether he considered such an impression to be outdated.

"Test match rugby is about winning, there is nothing else that comes into it. You don't get points or pats on the back for style. Winning is all we think about."

England arrived in Wellington yesterday morning and have five days before taking on a strong and proud New Zealand Maori side up the coast in New Plymouth.

Back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks and Australia follow in what is the final chapter of a long, but successful, international season for England.

In beating all three SANZAR sides in the autumn and then claiming the Six Nations Grand Slam, England not only stretched their unbeaten record to 11 matches but also secured a 10th win in their last 12 encounters away from Twickenham.

The entire package adds up to 25 victories in 27 matches at all venues and, given the statistics, Woodward is becoming a little tired of having England's effectiveness away from HQ constantly questioned.

But he was meeting New Zealand reporters for the first time at the team hotel yesterday and, because England have won just one Test in seven attempts here and none from 10 in Australia, the topic was inevitably raised.

Woodward dealt with the inquiries in a jovial but forthright manner. "We try to throw matches at Twickenham, but we keep failing," he joked.

"The last time we lost at Twickenham was against the All Blacks in the World Cup in 1999 but our away record is pretty good as well.

It doesn't make any difference, it's about winning a Test match no matter where you are. We have won some great games away from home."

Woodward was making a serious point. England have come to play the two other best sides in the world and intend to go home victorious.

After all, victory over New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium would see England set a new national record for consecutive Test wins for the second time in three years.

And just to bury what he sees as another misconception, Woodward let it be known that the hard and fast surfaces of the southern hemisphere, that were not thought to suit their style, no longer hold any fear for England.

"I also hear that we still play on long, wet, muddy pitches. That's another thing that is quite amusing," he said. "The pitch at Twickenham is grown to my specifications and is one of the fastest around.

"We hear that because the World Cup is going to be played on fast pitches we are going to struggle because we play in grass a foot deep but if you speak to the New Zealand team who played at Twickenham last autumn, it is as fast as any pitch in the world."

However, Woodward tempered his defiance by claiming England were "a long way" from being the best side in the world.

He described England as a "pretty good team"; the All Blacks as "outstanding" and Australia the "best in the world."