Itoje on mission to make it a day to remember

MARO Itoje insists England are ready to emulate one of the greatest days in the nation’s rugby history when they face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium this afternoon.

- By DUNCAN BECH

Six years ago the All Blacks were crushed 19-7 in the World Cup semifinals but in four meetings since that special day in Yokohama, England have failed to register a win, despite a series of desperately tight encounters.

Now they are in a nine-Test winning run and faced with the opportunity to deliver a statement victory that will define their 2025.

“At that stage of the journey of the team in 2019, we were ready for that sort of challenge,’ England captain Itoje said. “We felt that if we were aggressive and accurate in what we do, we would be able to get them.

“Tt was one of those weird games where they had periods on top, but it felt like there was only one outcome of that game. Hopefully we can do something similar this weekend.