Sky Sports' Will Greenwood believes England's recent “outstanding” performance against New Zealand has put them back in the top four of world rugby teams.
The All Blacks staged a comeback to extend their 30-year unbeaten run at Eden Park after beating England 16-15 in a thriller in Dunedin, winning 24-17 to take the series 2-0.
Despite the defeat, England had chances to win both games and looked a very different side to the one that finished fourth in the 2023 Six Nations Championship.
England then finished third in the 2024 Six Nations Championship and reached the Rugby World Cup semi-final against the eventual champions, the Springboks, but lost by just a point in a dramatic match.
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England performed the iconic All Blacks haka at Eden Park as they looked to counter their defeat in the second Test last weekend.
Indeed, Steve Borthwick's gradual improvement was most evident on the New Zealand tour, where Greenwood's England once again established themselves as one of rugby's “best” teams, capable of competing both home and away.
“If you take away the little details of the mistakes England have made and look at the progress they have made in the last two or three months, I think they are back in the top four, competitive against anyone they play at home and away,” Greenwood said. Sky Sports.
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Emmanuel Pay-Waboso crosses for England's first try in the second Test against New Zealand.
“That's a huge step forward. In four tests in the fall, they'll identify all four of them, and when everyone is healthy and back, they'll absolutely believe they can beat all four of them.
“That's what you have to think about now. It's a huge disappointment to lose but overall, it's a huge amount of improvement and cohesion and effort they've put in to go from being down 2-0 to being a really good team in a difficult place.”
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Marcus Smith's incredible one-handed interception saved a certain try for New Zealand in the second Test.
Earl: We've evolved, now we have to learn how to win.
Ben Earl also believes there has been rapid improvement in the England team that put in a superb performance against New Zealand.
But he believes “learning how to win” is the next step when the game gets intense.
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After the second Test defeat to New Zealand, Ben Earl insists England will only get better after their second clash with the All Blacks.
“You can see this team progressing,” Earl said. Sky Sports.
“If someone had told us after the World Cup that we would go to New Zealand and be eight points behind in two games, I would have said probably not.
“Credit to the group, credit to the coaches. We've come a long way, but now we have to learn how to win those tough games.
“Maybe it's just street smarts? Knowing when your team is in the sack or on the edge and making the most of it.
“Maybe we didn't do that. Now is the time to prepare for summer.
“This will make us better.”
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