Rugby: Bring England best for ‘royal rumble’, urges Randell

FORMER All Blacks captain Taine Randell has urged Clive Woodward to select his strongest possible squad for England’s summer tour and set up a “royal rumble” against a rejuvenated New Zealand side.

England play two Tests against the All Blacks on a trip that has taken on added significance since former Wales and Lions coach Graham Henry was placed in charge of New Zealand.

And Randell is anxious Woodward sticks to his policy of naming his strongest possible side, particularly given the stature in which English rugby is now held.

"I hope it is a top team because the English jersey is really something worth aspiring to now and not to send the top team would be disappointing," said Randell, who captained the New Zealand Barbarians against a second-string England XV at Twickenham on Saturday.

"In New Zealand they are looking forward to it immensely a royal rumble, New Zealand arrogance at its best.

"It will be a genuine showdown and it will be a great tour. Everyone is going to be gunning for England because they are undisputed as the best in the world."

It was the manner in which England capped two years of dominance with a march to glory in Sydney that highlighted to Randell just why John Mitchell was not up to the job as All Blacks coach.

Unlike England, he said, New Zealand failed to learn the lessons of 1999 and the appointment of Henry as Mitchell's replacement last week was the only logical option.

"New Zealand rugby will be in very safe hands with Graham Henry," said Randell, who stressed the departure of Mitchell would not alter his decision to retire from international rugby.

"He's done a pretty tough apprenticeship overseas, had a great career in New Zealand and his impact since he got back with Auckland has been fantastic."