You're not just facing a rival, you're taking on a national identity

ALL BLACK AURA THAT AWAITS ENGLAND AT TWICKENHAM TODAY

- BY ANDY DUNN

WHEN Maro Itoje and his men face up to their latest opponents at the Allianz Stadium, there are teams they will not see.

They will not see the team that, less than three months ago, lost in Argentina for the first time in its history.

They will not see the team that, in mid-September, suffered a 33-point humiliation at the hands of South Africa.

They will not see a team that has slipped behind the Springboks in the world rankings.

They will simply see the All Blacks. They will see their nemesis. There is always talk of the All Blacks losing their aura of formidableness, of becoming as beatable as any other elite rugby nation. And then they land in England.

Not since 2012 have they suffered a Test match defeat on these shores.

That 38-21 win for England - inspired by Manu Tuilagi and captained by Chris Robshaw - featured the finest performance of the Stuart Lancaster era. A defining performance.

For the Steve Borthwick-Maro Itoje era, this next game against the All Blacks is a defining challenge.