Andrew backs Johnson squad
by Mark May, 13 May 2008
Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU Rob Andrew told Setanta Sports News that the players selected in the England squad travelling to New Zealand are more than capable of doing themselves justice on the tour.
New boss Martin Johnson named his first squad on Tuesday, selecting a group which is a mixture of youth and experience.
And, while Andrew recognises the massive task facing the players making the trip to face the All Blacks, he thinks the players his former team-mate has selected are in form and on the top of their game.
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“This is a good squad that is playing well," he told Setanta Sports News.
"We’ll try and go there and do it justice. We’re lucky in a sense that we have got players who are fit and playing well, and that’s the key around the selection.
“Going to NZ is very tough. They have lost some players since the World Cup, as we have. We have changed a lot since the World Cup as well. But there is always an extra element to playing there, this is their opportunity.
“We are not under any illusion as to how tough this will be. But, as I said, the players are playing well we have a good squad to take with us to New Zealand."
Andrew also believes the players will have to step their performance up a notch if they are to succeed in a place the former British Lion reckons was the ultimate test as a player.
“For me it [playing against the All Blacks in New Zealand] was the ultimate test as a player,” he added.
“There is an added intensity to playing rugby in New Zealand which puts you under enormous pressure. Any team that has ever won in NZ has probably had to have played the best rugby of their lives down there.
“So that’s the challenge for us to see if we can deliver some of our best rugby both individually and collectively. And, if that doesn’t get you up in the morning then I don’t know what will.”