Nonu fears England ‘explosion’
New Zealand are overwhelming favourites to record an eighth successive victory over England at Twickenham today.
Despite an appalling injury list, pressure is mounting on Martin Johnson and his coaching team following poor performances against Australia and Argentina.
But Nonu, the All Blacks’ bulldozing centre with 44 caps, expects a frenzied response.
“I haven’t forgotten what England did at the World Cup in 2003,” he said. “They’re about to explode at the moment. They’ve been under the pump.
“The fans want to see them play more rugby and they’ll be looking to do that against us.”
England have been accused of adopting a policy of damage limitation by picking inside centre Ayoola Erinle and blindside flanker Joe Worsley.
Erinle’s inclusion at the expense of the more creative and less physical Shane Geraghty is a nod to Nonu, one of the best line breakers in the game.
The selection suggests there will be little wit or guile to England’s gameplan, but Nonu believes they are capable or playing with greater ambition.
“I’ve had a look at Erinle and seen some of the games he’s played for Biarritz. He’s a big boy. It will be a tough challenge,” he said.
“I guess the physical approach has always been England’s game. I thought Geraghty had played well in the last two Tests. He compliments Jonny Wilkinson well. He’s got a big boot but the size of Erinle suggests they want to play a more direct game.
“They played pretty well against Australia when they went wide. They’ve got a lot of skill in the backline.
“They can either be direct or use a lot of second-hand play. Those boys are big but they are skilful at the same time.”
New Zealand have accumulated victories over Australia, Wales and Italy so far this tour, yet Nonu feels the best is yet to come.
“In Wales there was a lot of hype that week and we could have actually played a bit better,” he said.
“We had a few tries disallowed and it didn’t really reflect the game, we still won 19-12. And last week against Italy was a frustrating game.
“We want a big game, like one of those games we’ve always produced, one of those Test matches like we played last year.”
England hooker Dylan Hartley will draw inspiration from facing New Zealand’s haka – but he will save any response until after the kick-off.
Hartley, 23, moved to England from his home town of Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island at the age of 16 and admits the haka still makes the hairs bristle on the back of his neck.
Twelve years ago, Richard Cockerill reacted to the challenge by marching over the half-way line and eyeballing Norm Hewitt, leaving team-mate Martin Johnson to whisper: “Cockers, what have you done?”
But Hartley said: “I will stand there and enjoy it like 80,000 other people. Growing up in New Zealand I understand it and I appreciate it.
“It makes the hairs on my neck stand up. It is exciting and it inspires me.”
Hartley had a brief taste of playing against the All Blacks 12 months ago and did not receive the kind of verbal shoeing one might expect for a former New Zealand native.
The son of a Kiwi father, Guy, and an English mother, Caroline, Hartley is proud of his roots – but also determined to show those he left behind what kind of a player he has become.
“It is not like I am Riki Flutey, who played his rugby in New Zealand and came to England. I left at 16 years old. I have played all my professional rugby here,” he said.
“I am an unknown to them. The All Blacks probably see me as an Englishman, which I am happy with.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
