Steve McNamara believes the fear factor will bring the best out of his England side when they face New Zealand at Wembley on Saturday.
The home side have had a shaky campaign thus far and were ‘scratchy’ in their 34-6 defeat of France last weekend. Many have criticised England’s ability to play well for 80 minutes and claim the 20-minute spells that saw off France, Ireland and Fiji would not trouble the Kiwis.
“Playing really good opposition brings the best out in you. These boys are definitely up for it, I guarantee it,” said coach McNamara.
“I think we play a whole lot better when there is an element of fear in the back of our minds.”
The England coach isn’t taking the Kiwis lightly, though.
“They’ve been really good and blown all the opposition away,” said McNamara.
“They’ve had some teams who have been highly motivated to play against them but they haven’t been able to do that because of what the Kiwis have done to them.
“It’s great credit to them that they are in the form and position they are in.”
