- New Zealand-born hooker starts against All Blacks for first time
- Big 80 minute performance needed from England at Twickenham
Dylan Hartley weighed up his first start against New Zealand and admitted: “There’s never been a weak All Blacks team.”
Hartley, born in Rotorua before moving north and appearing for England’s Under 18, 19 and 21 teams, was a second half replacement in the 32-6 defeat last season.
The Northampton Saints hooker faces up to Ali Hore in the front row when the side’s meet in this weekend’s Investec Challenge at Twickenham (2.30pm).
And he knows England need to be at their best from the first minute until the final whistle against the world’s No.1 ranked team.
“There’s never been a weak All Black team,” Hartley told RFU TV.
“Against the All Blacks we can’t afford just to start the game well or to start the second half well. We have to play for the full 80 minutes.”