New Zealand are ready for a ´bloody tough´ opening Test against England, veteran hooker Codie Taylor said Monday, as the All Blacks kick start a new era under Scott Robertson.
New Zealand will face England on Saturday in Dunedin in the first of two Tests to begin Robertson´s tenure as head coach of the All Blacks. The team also has a new captain in lock forward Scott Barrett.
The second Test will be held at Auckland´s Eden Park a week later, where the All Blacks are undefeated since 1994.
"Their game is built off around their set-piece and putting you under pressure in the wrong parts of the field," Taylor said of England.
England eased past Japan 52-17 in Tokyo nine days ago before their first tour of New Zealand since 2014.
"They showed some good stuff against Japan," Taylor told reporters in Wellington. "They have been over here, working away. It´s going to be a bloody tough match."
England have registered eight wins out of 43 Tests against the All Blacks, but only two of those victories were on New Zealand soil.
The All Blacks have not taken the field since going down in the Rugby World Cup final to South Africa in Paris in October.
"We´ve talked about clarity and connection, and how we want to play. Within that, there´s some exciting things," Taylor said.
"We always pride ourselves in playing what´s in front of us, but it´s dealing with the likes of an England team that wants to put you under pressure and get the ball behind you."
England full-back George Furbank said they expected Robertson to have made an impact.
"He´s a winning coach, look at all the trophies he won with the Crusaders," Furbank told reporters in Auckland. "He knows how to get a team to win."
The fullback expected New Zealand to stick to their strengths.
"They have a very good off-loading game, they are very good on the front foot, especially at home," Furbank said.
"We know there is a big challenge coming this weekend."
- Additional input from AFP