Wynne Gray: The All Blacks want a strong England challenge

Martin Johnson. Photo / Richard Robinson

It's not often you want to believe much about the England rugby team. Perhaps it's the pompous nonsense which swirls around their Twickers HQ, where they are known as the Rugby Football Union, not England.

Maybe it was coaches like Sir Clive Woodward and his eccentric snootiness or some of his Hooray Henry disciples.

England supporters are usually great, fun-loving, engaging and certainly long-suffering as they watch the all-too-often wilting red rose.

Certainly the way England played has not been too compelling.

After the 2003 World Cup victory, England and their Six Nations cronies have disappointed as opposition for the All Blacks' end-of-year tours.

The All Blacks last lost on one of those visits in 2002 when an understrength side fell 28-31 to England and then scraped a 20-all draw against France.

Since then the All Blacks have won 20 straight matches in Europe.

There has almost been an air of resignation about these trips, from the All Blacks and their opponents.

Perhaps no more, though. Wales have been muscling up, while ol' Beetlebrow Martin Johnson - who often gave the "we're learning" post-defeat soundbite in his early coaching life - has been talking a little more resolutely about England this season.

He believes his players are hitting fitness levels they have never before achieved and have cottoned on to the new law interpretations.

We will see on November 7, when the All Blacks meet England at the start of their latest Grand Slam challenge. Johnson and his old Lions coach McGeechan have been bullish about improvements in the game in Blighty. They are also realistic.

"Fitness-wise we are up there now, but the key thing is what the score is when we play teams like New Zealand," Jonno said.

He is encouraged by the raised tempo in matches and sides' inclination to retain rather than kick away possession.

McGeechan too is enthused. A fervent discipline of multi-phase rugby, he predicts the law changes will promote ball handlers, steppers, openside flankers and players with big engines.

For the All Blacks' sake and for the sport, let's hope some of the off-field optimism translates into some quality opposition in November.