If there was ever a picture that summed up New Zealand’s stubborn spirit, it was the sight of Damian McKenzie at full-time in Murrayfield — bloodied, bandaged, yet still standing tall.
The All Blacks remain a force of nature, but let’s be honest: that old, untouchable aura has started to fade.
And this weekend, I can see England being the ones to finally take them down.
Why England Have Every Right to Believe
England have quietly turned into a team that doesn’t flinch. Nine Tests unbeaten.
Wins over Australia and Fiji. Fourth in the world rankings. Confidence sky-high.
Steve Borthwick’s squad has the perfect mix of hardened warriors like Maro Itoje and Jamie George and fearless newcomers such as Henry Pollock, who play without the weight of history on their shoulders.
That blend is gold. Pollock and the new wave don’t carry the scars of past defeats — and that kind of freedom can change everything.
Depth Like Never Before
What really sets England apart right now is their depth.
Lose one player? There’s another top-class replacement waiting.
I’ll be honest — even at Wales’ best, we never had that luxury.
Borthwick’s England have built something properly sustainable, a team that can absorb injuries and still look powerful. It’s a luxury every coach dreams of.
The Mental Game Has Shifted
England always had the players. What they used to lack was composure when things got tight.
But that’s changed — and it’s no coincidence.
Jamie George recently revealed they’ve been working with a team psychologist, and you can see the difference.
Twice already this autumn, they’ve come under pressure.
Twice, they’ve stayed calm and finished strong. That’s growth. That’s belief.
The All Blacks Still Demand Respect
Of course, this isn’t just any opponent. New Zealand are still packed with class.
Their wins over Ireland and Scotland show their fight, even after all the travel miles they’ve clocked this year.
But they’ve also looked… human. Mistakes. Yellow cards. Nervous moments under pressure.
If England can push them into that same chaos, the All Blacks could find themselves in real trouble at Twickenham.
Tactical Keys to Victory
George Ford’s recall at fly-half makes total sense.
He’s the perfect man to execute Borthwick’s meticulous game plan.
The goal will be simple: slow down New Zealand’s lightning-quick play and starve them of width.
McKenzie, with his dual playmaking alongside Beauden Barrett, has been the spark for the All Blacks in recent games.
If he starts, England’s defence will need to suffocate his space and hit the breakdowns hard. The back-row trio will be crucial there.
In defence, the No 13 channel becomes everything.
I always think back to Jonathan Davies in the 2017 Lions series — that’s the level of awareness and anticipation England need from Ollie Lawrence this weekend.
Injury Blows, But Belief Remains
Losing Ollie Chessum and Tommy Freeman hurts — both were nailed-on starters.
But the system is strong enough to cope.
England will need near-perfection to win, yes, but they’ve never looked more ready to deliver it.
McKenzie’s Magic Moment
My Rémy Martin “Moment of Excellence” this week? No contest.
Damian McKenzie’s incredible 50:22 kick against Scotland.
At 17-17, with the crowd roaring and momentum against them, McKenzie stepped up like a heavyweight boxer landing a counterpunch.
That kick changed everything — setting up the try, the penalty, and ultimately, the win.
Test rugby is defined by players who thrive in those ‘clutch’ moments. McKenzie did exactly that.
South Africa Have Become the Benchmark
I was lucky enough to be in Paris for France versus South Africa — and even luckier to bump into Thierry Henry and a few football legends afterwards! But the real story of the night was the Springboks.
They are, without question, the new All Blacks. Ruthless. Composed. Unshakable. Down to 14 men, yet still in total control.
Rassie Erasmus’ decision to substitute Siya Kolisi — his captain, on his 100th cap — after Lood de Jager’s red card was bold beyond belief. But it worked.
That’s what makes the Boks so special: they think differently and win doing it.
Right now, I can’t see anyone stopping them from claiming a third consecutive World Cup title in 2027.
Wales: Flashes of Hope and Hard Lessons
For Wales, there’s light and shade. The loss to Argentina showed their physical shortcomings, but scoring four tries was no small thing.
The attack looked sharper than it has in a while.
Jac Morgan was outstanding — world-class form, honestly.
Losing him to a shoulder injury is devastating.
Without him, Wales lose their most physically imposing player, and that will hurt in the Six Nations build-up.
Discipline and the aerial game remain big issues, but those are fixable.
With tweaks and better control, they should bounce back and handle Japan comfortably.
The Bigger Picture
International rugby feels wide open again. England on the rise, New Zealand human, South Africa dominant, and Wales still fighting to rebuild.
It’s what makes this sport so endlessly compelling — the stories, the emotion, the constant evolution.
And for now, all eyes turn to Twickenham, where England have the chance to prove they’ve truly come of age.
Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac — celebrate moments of excellence, on or off the field. Please enjoy responsibly.