Johnson fires warning over All Black Test
ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson insists his side must make rapid improvements if they are to beat the All Blacks in their autumn series finale on Saturday.
Despite scraping past Argentina on Saturday 16-9, much of the Twickenham crowd vented their frustration at another inept performance when the final whistle went.
Following on from another underwhelming showing against Australia earlier this month, England appear devoid of any ideas or confidence and Johnson is fully aware of the task ahead.
“If the All Blacks are anything they are consistent in their performance and so we need to be a lot, lot better,” the former England captain said.
“If we make those same mistakes we will be in big trouble. It was a tough game to watch, it was frustrating for all of us. We have to get them back up for next week.
“Fear is always there, it is about what you turn that into and we need to turn that into a spirited display against the All Blacks. The guys need to trust themselves a lot more.”
A worrying prospect for Johnson is the fact Argentina had only been together for six days while a battle-hardened New Zealand side visit the home of rugby on the back of the Tri-Nations tournament.
While Johnson acknowledged his team’s failings he praised them for grinding out a victory against the Pumas.
“For all the things we didn’t do well against Argentina we ultimately won. I would take those mistakes with a win next week, but I don’t think that will happen,” he said.
England, in a new changed purple kit, had to wait until the 70th minute to cross the whitewash and seal an error-strewn victory.
Bath winger Matt Banahan eventually dived over and the defence managed to hold strong to deny a late surge from the Argentina pack.