‘No one thinks we can win’ – Test of Times IV on RugbyPass TV

RugbyPass TV releases Tests of Time IV this Tuesday, a feature-length deep dive into the night England dismantled the All Blacks at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The semi-final in Yokohama was billed as a cakewalk for Steve Hansen’s New Zealand. They were two-time defending champions, unbeaten in World Cup matches since 2007, and chasing an unprecedented third straight title. England were respected but not widely backed.

Eddie Jones knew it.

“Put your hands up if you think we can win… see, no one thinks we can win,” a truculent Jones asked reporters in the build-up, leaning hard into the underdog narrative.

What followed was one of England’s most complete Test performances of the professional era.

There was theatre to it before a ball was kicked. England’s V-shaped haka response drew global attention, several players advancing beyond halfway as they stood their ground rather than retreat. Joe Marler was later fined £2,000 for literally crossing the line and Owen Farrell’s tight smirk as the haka unfolded became an image that served as shorthand for England’s refusal to be intimidated.

It was psychological brinkmanship before the first collision, and it set the tone for everything that followed.

Manu Tuilagi crossed inside 100 seconds after a savage opening spell set the tone. England’s line speed suffocated New Zealand’s attack. Maro Itoje, Sam Underhill and Courtney Lawes dominated collisions. George Ford kicked like a metronome.

New Zealand managed a late try through Ardie Savea, but England closed it out 19-7. The defending champions were beaten up physically and tactically. It was controlled, confrontational and utterly ruthless.

“The 2012 win over New Zealand was seen as a great day, but this was next-level good,” said commentator Rupert Cox. “It was one of the great days for English rugby. The scoreline didn’t reflect how dominant England were.”

Tests of Time IV revisits the night and the execution that delivered that performance. Through archive footage and fresh insight from a panel of experts, the documentary examines how England produced a display that still stands as a benchmark for the sport and one of the most enthralling Rugby World Cup games of all time.

The documentary goes live on RugbyPass TV at 7pm on Tuesday UK time.