2. “Get down and shove,”
New Zealand 13-15 England, 14 June 2003
With England defending a slender lead at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium in 2003, their hopes of a first win in New Zealand for 30 years looked to be over when Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back were both sin-binned.
But with the All Blacks awarded several scrums close to the England line, Johnson ordered his five remaining forward comrades to “get down and shove”.
“You saw Martin Johnson at his absolute best in that 10-minute period,” said coach Clive Woodward. “His leadership was just inspirational.”
Asked after England’s victory what was going through his head as he packed down, Johnson replied: “My spine.”