Robshaw challenges tourists to end New Zealand trip with win
ENGLAND captain Chris Robshaw insists the opportunity to end an 11-year wait for victory on New Zealand soil will be enough to motivate them in Saturday’s dead rubber.
A 28-27 defeat in Dunedin at the weekend wrapped up the three-Test series win for the All Blacks with a match to play. But Robshaw believes the chance to end the world champions’ run of 16 consecutive wins and score a groundbreaking victory of their own will inspire a strong showing.
“I don’t think it will be hard at all to lift the team for this match because we still want to win a game down here,” said the 28-year-old.
“We’ll throw everything at this last game. It’s a big finale and hopefully we can pull one back.
“We all believe that’s still very much obtainable as long as we continue to be professional.”
Should head coach Stuart Lancaster look to shake up his team, Manu Tuilagi could be switched back from the experimental wing role he undertook in the second Test to his more familiar position at centre.
That could open the door for Saracens’ Chris Ashton to start for the Red Rose for the first time since November, though Lancaster insists no decisions will be made on the team until after tomorrow’s tour match against Cruasaders.
“We won’t make the decision until Wednesday,” said Lancaster.
“We’ll wait and see, we’ll have to assess the game.”