Marcus Smith is ready for his toughest test to date as England’s attack grows more confident against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick’s side started their tour two weeks ago by scoring eight tries against Japan and continued the Guinness Six Nations theme of showing greater determination with the ball in hand as they won 52-17.
World Cup runners-up New Zealand have been revamped under new coach Scott Robertson, but they will still be a barometer of just how far England’s attack has come.
Harlequins flyhalf Smith will take charge at Forsyth Barr Stadium and believes the team is improving in many ways.
“We’ve developed a very strong set piece, our defence has really improved over the last year and a half and I feel our mentality has improved from an attacking perspective as well,” Smith said. Sky Sports.
“We showed that in the last game and in the games against Ireland, France and Wales.
“Over the last three games of the Six Nations we’ve made a conscious effort to be aggressive both in attack and defence and we’ve maintained that mindset since we returned to camp for the tour this summer. It’s been exciting.
“That really resonates with this group. We had a really good game last week against a really good Japanese team, and I think we implemented some of that.
“Obviously we know it’s going to be a tough test playing the All Blacks on their home soil, but we’re really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can show the best of ourselves against the best of them.”
Smith will wear the number 10 shirt in place of Northampton fly-half Finn Smith, who led Saints to the Gallagher Premiership title last month.
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Finn Smith has the supporters’ backing in the battle between young ringmasters, but the Queen’s native could retain his spot for a long time if he puts in a good performance against the All Blacks.
“Personally, I don’t see it as me versus Finn. I’m just really grateful to be on this tour,” Smith said.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Fin over the last three or four weeks. Obviously he’s had a brilliant year at Northampton and England and I’ve enjoyed picking his brain and asking him a lot of questions.
“For me, it would be a dream come true to be on tour and winning in New Zealand. I know Finn has the same mindset.
“As long as Finn and I are singing the same hymn and delivering a message that we both believe will help the team score tries and score points, we’re both happy.”
England made two changes to their front row for the first of two Test matches against the All Blacks, with Joe Marler and Will Stewart promoted from the bench.
Despite being further developed for the 2027 World Cup, they are left as underdogs as they play in New Zealand for the first time in a decade.
