England coach Steve Borthwick has fired back at Scott Robertson, insisting it’s the All Blacks, not England, who are the real kickers ahead of their blockbuster Test at Twickenham.

Robertson suggested earlier this week that England would again unleash a barrage of high kicks – a tactic that has troubled New Zealand’s back three throughout the season.

“Northern hemisphere, you’re going to get that,” Robertson said. “The last couple of games we’ve had it, and it’s going to keep coming.”

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But Borthwick wasn’t having it. Speaking to The Telegraph, the England boss turned the focus straight back on the Kiwis.

“I would refer you to go back and look at the way they played the two Tests we played down in New Zealand last year and how many times they kicked the ball,” said Borthwick.

“Once you do that, you’ll have a clear picture of how Scott Robertson wants his team to play.”

According to The Telegraph, the All Blacks kicked more than England in two of their three meetings last year – 101 kicks to England’s 90 – including their narrow win at Twickenham.

Robertson, for his part, brushed off the jab, saying aerial contests were simply part of the modern game.

“It’s part of the game and the way it is. The air contest, there is more of a competition,” he said.

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Still, both sides are clearly bracing for a tactical kicking battle. England have recalled George Ford at flyhalf and loaded their bench with six forwards – dubbed the “Pom Squad” – in a nod to the Springboks’ famed Bomb Squad.

The All Blacks, meanwhile, will be forced to reshuffle their back three after Caleb Clarke was ruled out with concussion. Robertson could move Leicester Fainga’anuku to the wing or bring Rieko Ioane back into the starting side.

Borthwick hinted that New Zealand’s selection could reveal plenty about their plan.

“It will be interesting to see if they start McKenzie or not,” he said. “When they’ve played against England in the last three games, they’ve kicked the ball a lot.

“Maybe they’ll pick Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie together and come with that plan.”

England are on a nine-match winning streak, chasing their first victory over New Zealand since the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinal in Yokohama.

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