England v New Zealand: Ben Earl says it's time to banish 'heartache' and 'get over the line' in Autumn Nations
By Becky Hart
Updated 31/10/2024 at 13:55 GMT
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Ben Earl has spoken exclusively to TNT Sports ahead of England’s first Autumn International at Twickenham against New Zealand, which comes after Steve Borthwick's men lost twice to the All Blacks in heartbreaking fashion last summer. England are seeking to exact some revenge and beat New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012, and Earl is anticipating a memorable game.
‘We’ve learnt some hard lessons’ – Earl says time is now for England to go to next level
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ben Earl says there will be "stardust littered" all over the Allianz Stadium pitch as his side seek to get "over the line" following some close losses in the past year when they take on New Zealand on Saturday.
Earl, one of England's breakout stars of the last few years, spoke to TNT Sports ahead of the first Autumn Nations series weekend, as England prepare to face the All Blacks in south-west London.
New Zealand arrive at Twickenham off the back of a disappointing Rugby Championship, during which they lost twice to World Cup holders South Africa, and once to Argentina.
But an All Blacks team that are licking their wounds are no less dangerous than one that is sweeping all before them - and Earl is under no illusions as to the task facing England this weekend.
“There’s stardust littered all over the pitch isn’t there? There’s some pretty cool match-ups; it just feels like a game that isn’t going to disappoint,” Earl told TNT Sports, as he prepares to go up against the latest Kiwi superstar, Wallace Sititi.
Earl also lavished praise on established great Ardie Savea.
“Talking about Ardie - a fantastic player, the best in the world in my eyes, humble, genuinely good guy. I can’t wait to go compete against him this weekend," Earl added.
"He is an unbelievable guy, an unbelievable player and, as I said before, the best, biggest respect you can give those guys is to play as hard as you can and shake hands after.”
But while Earl was gracious in his praise for his opponents, he was also quick to highlight the work England have been doing under coach Steve Borthwick.
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‘Stardust littered all over the pitch’ – Earl previews ‘exciting’ showdown with All Blacks
Video credit: TNT Sports
They have come under criticism for failing to close out tight games: as well as the 16-15 and 24-17 summer defeats in New Zealand, England lost 33-31 to France in the Six Nations. There was also a 16-15 semi-final defeat to South Africa in last year’s World Cup.
“I think it’s an experience all the big teams go through, you have to go through some heartache to get over the line,” Earl explained.
“It just feels like it’s the evolution of all the top teams, and we are a team that wants to be known as a great team, some of the world’s best.
“So we know the heartache is good for a while, but it’s time to go and do it at the right time. We got a glimpse of it against Ireland last year, and we feel we are due one, and we have learnt some really hard lessons over the summer, so we feel we are in a better place for it.
“We have always said you don’t win easily against us and that’s something we have developed over the last 18 months with Steve’s mindset and the boys getting hold of it, and now I feel it’s time to get over the line in one of these big games.”
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‘It’s an amazing story’ – Earl lauds Tom Curry for overcoming career-threatening injury
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Earl will line up alongside Tom Curry in the back row on Saturday, with the latter making his first start for England since hip surgery in February - although he came off the bench in the summer tour.
It has been a tough road for Curry to get back to the top of the game, and Earl had nothing but praise for his fellow back rower.
“He’s just a phenomenal player and his story; what he’s had to go through over the last 12 months amplifies his commitment to not just him as a player but to the country he wants to play for,” Earl said.
“Looking at him this week, he’s moving unbelievably well, he’s as committed as ever, he’s someone you realise has played against some of the best teams in the world for a number of years and there’s experience now in that back row. We can both feed off each other - I love playing with Tom.”
As for England’s return toTwickenham, their record on home soil has been patchy at best over the past few years - something Earl is keen to see change.
A tricky autumn in 2022 - when they lost at home to both Argentina and South Africa - was followed by two home defeats from three matches in the Six Nations in 2023, and a World Cup warm-up loss to Fiji later that summer.
But wins against Wales and Ireland at home in the Six Nations this year boosted confidence on home soil, and if England could go undefeated this autumn against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan, Twickenham would regain its reputation as a fearful place for opponents to visit.
“[Twickenham is] a place where we want to be really, really hard to beat. And we’ve always said in the camp, if you want to beat us at Twickenham you are going to have to be over and above the norm,” Earl said.
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