SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 14 hrs 14 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Slade keen to build on Te’o partnership in All Blacks showdown

:Headline: Slade keen to build on Te’o partnership in All Blacks showdown: ID:340858: from db_amp
The pair played together for the first time in the victory over South Africa.

Henry Slade is eager to continue his centre partnership with Ben Te’o when England end their four-year wait to face New Zealand.

The duo played together for the first time in Saturday’s 12-11 victory over South Africa, with Te’o making his maiden appearance since May after recovering from thigh and calf injuries.

Their performances improved in tandem with England’s fightback against the Springboks and they are expected to keep their places when Eddie Jones names his starting XV for the All Blacks’ visit to Twickenham.

Ben Te’o made his first England appearance since May in the narrow win over South Africa (Adam Davy/PA).

“The partnership felt pretty good. It feels like we’ve got pretty good balance,” said Slade ahead of Thursday’s team announcement.

“Against South Africa and in training it feels like we’ve got good balance across the midfield. Ben and I both have different strengths which enable us to play together.

“Ben is an experienced guy who has been around so he knows what it takes after some time off with injury to know how to get himself right. He played pretty well.

“He’s a laid back kind of guy off the field and is a good squad member. He put in some big shots and those things lift the team and inspire the boys.”

England have been given a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Steve Hansen’s world champions.

Courtney Lawes (back), Owen Farrell (hip) and Manu Tuilagi (groin) trained on Wednesday morning with two full-bore sessions left in the week.

Among the areas being sharpened by England is the scrum, which fluctuated in quality against the Springboks and will need to improve for the All Blacks showdown.

“We started off really well and then dipped off,” scrum coach Neal Hatley said.

England scrum coach Neal Hatley says the team are working hard on consistency (Adam Davy/PA).

“We had a big scrum in the corner on their ball which got the penalty that enabled us to push ahead going into the final few minutes.

“But then we lost it again on the last scrum of the game. Consistency is going to be important and we’re working hard on that.

“New Zealand have improved hugely at the scrum. Six of that pack work together for Canterbury and then work together for the All Blacks, so they have unbelievable consistency in terms of selection and experience.”

amp_article__340858 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-11-07 15:36:23:
html db last update - 2018-11-07 15:36:23 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Henry Slade

Click here for more stories about New Zealand

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .