Kieran Read believes that England are a more dangerous team since he started playing for New Zealand, but the No8 has warned that the expansive rugby played by Stuart Lancaster’s team will open up more opportunities for the All Blacks to attack when the sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday.
Read says that England’s approach has changed from a more physically dependent style when he made his international debut in 2008 to a skill-based game.
“I think their mindset perhaps has changed. They are more willing in recent times to have a decent crack with the ball and they have got some really skilful players now that they perhaps did not have a few years ago. They are willing to use those skills, which is probably the difference from a few years ago,” Read added.
“They have improved their game since I first started, when it was probably a more physical game but I don’t think that’s changed in terms of how they still approach it. They just have a nice well-rounded game. They are a decent side.
“They use the ball more – of course they are more dangerous. I think it opens up for us too, to be honest. I think it’s great when two teams actually want to play rugby. It creates a better atmosphere for the crowd and the people watching and it’s good for us in the way we want to play the game.”
Julian Savea, the 24-year-old wing who has scored 29 tries in 30 appearances, described his formidable record as an “honour” but admits he does not keep count of his tally.
Savea scored a hat-trick against England in the third and final Test in Hamilton in June, which the tourists lost 36-13, and has scored a brace of tries in his two previous appearances at Twickenham.
“I don’t keep track of it but it is amazing to get one and I guess the track record is an honour for me and a privilege that I get the opportunity to finish the opportunities these guys give me.”
Last month the All Blacks’ head coach, Steve Hansen, said Savea was better than Jonah Lomu but it is a comparison which does not rest easy with the Hurricanes player.
“Everyone has their own opinions and for Steve to say that was an honour and a privilege for me to be compared to him and for him [Hansen] to say I am better. But for me personally, no one’s better than Jonah. He was my idol growing up – I had his haircut. He changed the game back in his era and inspired a lot of kids, so to me no one is ever going to be better than Jonah because he was one in a million.”
