New Zealand legend Sean Fitzpatrick warns England they must finish 2016 unbeaten to challenge the All Blacks
The Red Rose the Kiwis are the only top nations unbeaten since last year’s World Cup with both looking unstoppable
ALL BLACKS legend Sean Fitzpatrick says England must finish 2016 unbeaten if they want to challenge New Zealand.
England and the Kiwis are the only top nations unbeaten since last year’s World Cup.
Four more wins over South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia this autumn will equal the Red Rose record of 14 games without defeat.
Eddie Jones has won all nine of his games as boss — following England’s World Cup win over minnows Uruguay in Stuart Lancaster’s last game in charge.
But mighty New Zealand are on an 18-game winning streak.
And Fitzpatrick, 53, believes England still need to lay down a bigger marker before facing the world champions in 2018.
The ex-All Blacks skipper said: “If England want to compete then they should win all four games.
related stories
“They are the No 2-ranked side in the world so they need to turn Twickenham into a fortress.
“If the All Blacks played them next week and beat them by 20 points, it would be a bit of a downer.
"So I think everyone is quite happy waiting for two years until we face each other.
“But there is the anticipation that maybe England have a team.
“They have broken the All Blacks’ run before and they pose us different problems to a side like Australia.
“And playing them up here is totally different to playing them at Eden Park.”
Harlequins are one English side who do face a New Zealand team in 2016.
They play the Maori All Blacks at The Stoop on November 16 as part of their 150th anniversary.
Quins’ Chris Robshaw is an option to revert to No 7 against the Springboks on Bonfire Night with Jones battling a long injury list.
And Fitz reckons he could stay there.
The Kiwi added: “I think Eddie sees Maro Itoje as a six eventually.
“So maybe he will look at something like Robshaw, Itoje and Billy Vunipola as the way to go.”
Tweet @SunJonnyFordham