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England’s first trip to New Zealand for a decade already has echoes of tours here in the past, as visiting players reveal profound respect for, and knowledge of, the All Blacks – while striving to avoid sounding over-awed.
George Furbank went further on Monday when he spoke passionately about his admiration for Kiwi rugby and how much its box-office stars inspired him when he was growing up.
The Northampton full-back is preparing for a career highlight when he lines up at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday – for the first of two Tests here – having benefited immensely from some local oval-ball wisdom.
The 27-year-old Saint has reclaimed the Red Rose No 15 shirt this season as a continuation of the career resurgence which was aided by the impact of Chris Boyd at the East Midlands club.
The New Zealander masterminded a tactical liberation, which Phil Dowson enhanced with power and pragmatism to lead Northampton to Premiership glory this season.
England will face New-Zealand in a two-Test series in Dunedin and Auckland from Saturday
George Furbank is preparing for a career highlight when he lines up against the All Blacks
Furbank was asked to explain what Boyd preached which proved so transformative and he said: ‘It was about playing to space. You never mentioned the word risk with him – it was always a decision. If you were making the right decision, whether that was on your tryline or the opposition tryline, he was going to back you to do that.
‘He gave you a sense of freedom to go and play. Some coaches make you worried about making mistakes. This was a new philosophy and it helped the young guys coming through. There wasn’t a fear of making mistakes, as long as you were making the right decisions.’
Furbank is set to be joined again in the England back line by club-mates Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman – with rookie Saints fly-half Fin Smith among the replacements.
He added: ‘He (Boyd) gave all us young guys the confidence to go and do what we do. He gave us the confidence to show why we were selected or signed our first contract coming out of school. He was a very good coach.’
In recent months, England have embraced a Boyd-like philosophy in trying to banish the fear of making mistakes. There has been a conscious quest to release the handbrake and it has worked, with Furbank appearing able to truly express his free-flowing talent in a young and dynamic back line.
Now, he is gearing up for a momentous occasion on Saturday.
Furbank has praised Saints’ chief Chris Boyd’s tactical liberation which proved transformative
As a long-standing New Zealand rugby follower and aficionado, he is savouring the prospect. ‘If I’m playing at the weekend this is definitely going to be top of the list,’ he said, when asked how the next game would rank among his favourites. ‘Obviously, I’m an England supporter, but I grew up watching the All Blacks loads and admiring those guys.
‘Beauden Barrett is someone I’ve looked up to since I was young, watched him and admired him. It will be an amazing experience and definitely one I won’t forget if I’m involved.’
He didn’t stop there in name-checking the Kiwis who had captivated him when he was a young rugby fan. This was no exercise in hollow diplomacy, it was clearly engrained information.
‘I could probably name you most of the All Blacks squads from that era,’ he added. ‘There are a lot of players here that I look up to. Ben Smith – and Israel Dagg is another one I grew up watching. He was a massive inspiration to me. A lot of my rugby idols come from New Zealand as well as England.’
So, what was it and is it about the way they play here which struck a chord with him? ‘The ability to play to space and see space,’ said Furbank, without missing a beat. ‘The All Blacks are one of the best teams in the world at doing that.
‘They are pretty happy to go from anywhere on the pitch. If they see an opportunity, they back themselves to go for it. I am lucky enough to play for a club that has implemented a similar sort of thing. Growing up watching those guys do it and to be at a club that do that sort of thing as well, I have taken a lot from that.’
Furbank is set to be joined again in the England back line by club-mates Alex Mitchell (left) and Tommy Freeman (right)
There was evident enthusiasm as Furbank spoke, which conveyed the fact that he wasn’t just trying to soften up the hosts with platitudes. England know all about the All Blacks’ traditional qualities and their danger men.
While the home team will change under new head coach Scott Robertson, the tourists will do their homework and ensure they are well aware of the threats coming their way.
There is always respect in that direction. Time will tell whether New Zealand have a similar regard for England – enough to study their tactics and know their names.
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