Jamie George masterminded England’s daring response to the All Blacks’ haka — with Pollock at the other end — in a bid to recreate the magic of 2019.
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England lined up as usual while New Zealand performed their war dance. Then, suddenly, they shifted into a V-shape — or at least something that looked more like a C — with George, the eldest, on one flank, and Pollock, the youngest, on the other. Captain Maro Itoje took the tip of the formation.
Pollock didn’t hold back. He was seen licking his lips at the haka. George laughed it off: giving Henry such a prominent role was “risky,” but the plan went ahead anyway.
“Oldest on one side, youngest on the other — that was the idea,” said George.
“We were reluctant to give Henry the responsibility because we didn’t know what he’d do. But Maro and Steve [Borthwick] were on board. As long as we didn’t have too many rehearsals, it was perfect.”
2019 Inspiration
England’s 2019 V-shaped response to the All Blacks became legendary, helping them reach the World Cup final. That day, Mako Vunipola later admitted:
“We knew it would rile them up.”
England were fined £2,000 after several players crossed the halfway line — breaking World Rugby regulations that require teams to stay in their own half during a cultural challenge.
This time, England stayed put. No fines. No drama. Just pure intensity.
Face-to-Face Theatre
George admitted he briefly feared a repeat of the infamous 1997 clash between Richard Cockerill and Norm Hewitt. But the decision was influenced by Twickenham’s crowd: the team wanted a response that would energise the stadium and get fans involved.
“It’s always a difficult thing when you don’t want to get too complicated. We wanted to replicate 2019 here at Allianz. Starting in a flat line and then moving into the V — that felt pretty cool,” George said.
“A response like that is great — but backing it up with the performance is the most important thing.”
And back it up they did, securing England’s first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years.
Why No Fine This Time?
- 2019: England crossed the halfway line. £2,000 fine.
- 2025: England stayed in their half. No fine.
Simple as that. The shape of the formation doesn’t matter. What matters is respecting the laws of the cultural challenge — and this time, England got it just right.
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2027 Rugby World Cup draw:
Predicted based on current rankings:
POOL A – “The Powerhouse Pool”
South Africa (Band 1)
Reigning giants of world rugby. Dominant set-piece, immense defence, and ruthless efficiency.
Reigning giants of world rugby. Dominant set-piece, immense defence, and ruthless efficiency.
Australia (Band 2)
A proud rugby nation rebuilding with speed and energy. Dangerous even when inconsistent.
A proud rugby nation rebuilding with speed and energy. Dangerous even when inconsistent.
Japan (Band 3)
Fast, inventive, and fearless. Known for quick ball movement and tactical cleverness.
Fast, inventive, and fearless. Known for quick ball movement and tactical cleverness.
Tonga (Band 4)
Explosive and physical. Can trouble any side when their offloading game clicks.
Explosive and physical. Can trouble any side when their offloading game clicks.
Summary:
A bruising pool where South Africa and Australia enter as favourites, but Japan’s pace and Tonga’s power guarantee unpredictability. This could have a genuine upset or two.
POOL B – “The Pacific Showcase”
New Zealand (Band 1)
The All Blacks — unmatched flair, speed, and rugby IQ. Always title contenders.
The All Blacks — unmatched flair, speed, and rugby IQ. Always title contenders.
Fiji (Band 2)
Electric footwork, immense power, and natural creativity. A nightmare matchup for any defence.
Electric footwork, immense power, and natural creativity. A nightmare matchup for any defence.
Spain (Band 3)
An improving side full of flair. Known for adventurous attacking rugby.
An improving side full of flair. Known for adventurous attacking rugby.
Portugal (Band 4)
Rapidly rising European underdogs with surprising resilience and strong fundamentals.
Rapidly rising European underdogs with surprising resilience and strong fundamentals.
Summary:
New Zealand will be heavily favoured, but Fiji vs Spain could be one of the most entertaining games of the pool stage. Portugal are capable of troubling anyone.
POOL C – “The Northern Duel”
England (Band 1)
Structured, disciplined, and tactically sharp. Physically imposing across the park.
Structured, disciplined, and tactically sharp. Physically imposing across the park.
Scotland (Band 2)
Smart, spirited, and dangerous on the counter. A team with real giant-killing pedigree.
Smart, spirited, and dangerous on the counter. A team with real giant-killing pedigree.
Uruguay (Band 3)
Tenacious, passionate, and technically improving. Not afraid to push Tier 1 teams.
Tenacious, passionate, and technically improving. Not afraid to push Tier 1 teams.
Romania (Band 4)
Historic rugby nation known for strong forward play and gritty defence.
Historic rugby nation known for strong forward play and gritty defence.
Summary:
England vs Scotland is a blockbuster rivalry clash. Uruguay and Romania bring real physicality, making this a hard-hitting pool with no easy points.
POOL D – “The Strategic Pool”
Ireland (Band 1)
Masters of structured play, precise phase work, and relentless pressure.
Masters of structured play, precise phase work, and relentless pressure.
Italy (Band 2)
Much-improved, athletic, and attacking. Capable of stunning big opponents.
Much-improved, athletic, and attacking. Capable of stunning big opponents.
USA (Band 3)
Athletic, strong, and constantly evolving. Dangerous when momentum builds.
Athletic, strong, and constantly evolving. Dangerous when momentum builds.
Hong Kong China (Band 4)
Developing nation eager to prove themselves on the world stage.
Developing nation eager to prove themselves on the world stage.
Summary:
Ireland are clear favourites, but Italy’s unpredictability creates tension. USA have upset potential, while Hong Kong China enter with nothing to lose.
POOL E – “The Physical Pool”
France (Band 1)
Inventive, unpredictable, and thrilling. A team of individual brilliance and collective power.
Inventive, unpredictable, and thrilling. A team of individual brilliance and collective power.
Georgia (Band 2)
The strongest scrummaging force outside Tier 1. Known for defensive toughness.
The strongest scrummaging force outside Tier 1. Known for defensive toughness.
Samoa (Band 3)
Big, fast, and fearless. Excels in broken play and physical collisions.
Big, fast, and fearless. Excels in broken play and physical collisions.
Canada (Band 4)
Experienced, hard-working side looking to rebuild.
Experienced, hard-working side looking to rebuild.
Summary:
France’s flair meets Georgia’s power and Samoa’s athletic chaos. A brutally physical pool where every match will be a grind. Canada will need discipline to compete.
POOL F – “The South American Showdown”
Argentina (Band 1)
Emotionally charged, tactically clever, and fearless. A true tournament threat.
Emotionally charged, tactically clever, and fearless. A true tournament threat.
Wales (Band 2)
Organised, structured, and resilient. Known for discipline and tournament savvy.
Organised, structured, and resilient. Known for discipline and tournament savvy.
Chile (Band 3)
Fast-improving and fearless. Their speed and fighting spirit make them tricky.
Fast-improving and fearless. Their speed and fighting spirit make them tricky.
Zimbabwe (Band 4)
Massive underdogs with big hearts and explosive athletes.
Massive underdogs with big hearts and explosive athletes.
Summary:
Argentina vs Wales is a heavyweight clash for top spot. Chile will push both, and Zimbabwe’s unpredictability adds an exciting wildcard element.
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