England desperate to beat All Blacks - Steward

Freddie Steward (centre) says England have a renewed emphasis on hunting down the loose ball with some many more kicks contested under new rules

Quilter Nations Series: England v New Zealand

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday 15 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app

Freddie Steward says England are desperate to puncture New Zealand's aura and inflict a first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years on Saturday.

Steward, who will start at 15, has played New Zealand twice in his 39 caps, featuring in the 25-25 draw at Twickenham in 2022 and a 24-17 defeat at Eden Park in 2024.

England's most recent success over New Zealand came in Yokohama in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, but they have not beaten them at Allianz Stadium since a famous 38-21 win in 2012.

"People always give it the old, 'oh, it's just another week', but it's not," Steward told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

"You can sense there's like that extra buzz and a bit of excitement and a bit of desperation.

"The All Blacks are iconic? With the haka and all that happening, it's always a cracker.

"I remember when we drew that game against New Zealand. When the third try went in late on, it was one of the loudest I've ever heard the stadium. It was incredible, so the lads are buzzing for that at the weekend."

'The bone was sticking out of the skin'

Steward returns to the team after a difficult afternoon in the 25-7 win over Australia on 1 November.

The 24-year-old uncharacteristically spilled several high balls early on, before being forced off in the closing stages with a dislocated finger.

"The bone was sticking out the top - out (of) the skin," Steward said.

"I tried to get it back in. The physios tried and they couldn't get it in, so I had to go down the tunnel.

"I told the lads I had injured my pinky finger and they all just laughed, but it is a decent one.

"Australia had set up a box-kick, I was under it and I thought 'What am I going to do? I'm going to have to catch it one-handed.'

"But the kick went straight out, and I've never been so relieved to see a ball go out in my life."

Steward receives pitchside attention from England's medical staff against Australia before heading off for pain relief and further treatment

Steward said last year's change to laws allowing chasers an unimpeded route into the aerial contest has made fielding such kicks significantly harder.

"Two weeks ago against Australia, for love or money, I could not bring a high ball down for the first half," he said.

"I was getting really frustrated because that's the foundation of my game.

"You have to give the Aussie boys credit - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is phenomenal in the air and Harry Potter came really hard at me.

"It has become so much harder. I've tried to catch over my head as much as I can. That's something I've been trying to do a lot at Leicester this season, because it gives you extra height, an extra metre.

"It's made my job more difficult, but I think the law change is no bad thing.

"People want to see aerial collisions and proper contests."

Raducanu offers insight into spotlight

Emma Raducanu and England captain Maro Itoje caught up at England's Surrey base on Tuesday

The England squad were joined by British number one tennis player Emma Raducanu on Tuesday.

The 2021 US Open champion talked to the players about her preparation for high-profile matches and dealing with pressure, as well as watching training and taking part in a lineout drill.

Former England head coach Eddie Jones wrote to apologise to Raducanu in 2021 after using her as an example of distractions away from sport affecting young stars in an answer about an emerging Marcus Smith.

Raducanu did not take up an invite in Jones' letter to watch England that autumn.

Borthwick, Jones' successor, said he was "grateful" and "privileged" to have the benefit of 22-year-old Raducanu's experience.

"To have elite sports people like Emma Raducanu visit, sharing with the players her experiences of preparation for sport and international competition at the very, very top level, it's always a learning experience," he said.

"The players enjoyed listening around as she was talking about the contrast with that individual preparation, the need to ensure that they're physically getting everything right in their game."