Rugby Baxter: We must all be 'selfless' against New Zealand

FIN Baxter insists England's clash with New Zealand at Allianz Stadium tomorrow will be as much a battle of will as physicality.

- Duncan BECH

Steve Borthwick's men are determined to register their first victory over the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup semifinals and their first win against their rivals at Twickenham for 13 years.

Borthwick has told his players they must be ready for "pain and suffering" if they are to prevail in the headline fixture of the autumn with assistant coach and rugby league great Kevin Sinfield and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler giving team talks this week.

Sinfield has repeatedly tested his own boundaries of endurance by running ultra-marathons to raise money for motor neurone disease charities, while 32-year-old Hurzeler has spent two days in the England camp.

"This is going to be a tight Test match, so competitive and one where every little thing counts," said rookie Harlequins prop Baxter, who faced New Zealand three times in 2024.

"Kev spoke to us and so did Fabian, who spoke about being the best teammate, being selfless.

"When it comes to enduring pain and doing stuff for the team, you are being selfless.