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Selecting your strongest starting XV for a important match contest appears more and more quaint today, evoking thoughts of bygone days such as classic TV shows. So much so that you might nearly expect finding the home team lineup to face the All Blacks this weekend printed in a jumbled order. Even with New Zealand in town, the traditional method of choosing the team no longer applies.

Focus on the Endgame

Rather, it's centered on the match concludes. This time, the coach has chosen multiple experienced players for the substitutes versus only a few among the first XV. At some point the second half point this weekend, there will be a mass change involving fresh talent entering play. Similar to the Springboks' famous "impact substitutes" have shown, this tactic is very tough to counter.

Possible Challenge

But, comes one small issue. When facing one of the globe's top-tier teams, it's essential to start well as well. Waiting until the introduction from key substitutes like Ellis Genge and others could seem less brilliant if New Zealand build a significant lead early on, like against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Yet that's the modern way in rugby. And few are more expert about this topic than the England coach, as he sat out multiple matches on the substitute during his career.

Historical Context

Among those matches, he recalled this week, is the famous Test against the All Blacks abroad back in 2003, where the forwards was reduced down because of disciplinary issues. At that time, Borthwick and fellow substitutes stayed on the sidelines for the entire 80 minutes.

Conversely, in Rome the previous year, the then-coach introduced multiple experienced leaders after 56 minutes, a move memorably referred to as "the most illustrious substitutes ever."

Today's Strategy

This team's bench choices nearly matches that for "Big Dog" energy, with England clearly aiming to catch New Zealand in the last 20 minutes. "Every game we have played versus them has been close late," the coach stated. "So it's crucial suitable personnel on to close out strongly... having such a degree of experience on the bench is also a key asset for the team."

Fan Perspective

There will be fans spending high rates for seats this weekend wondering if a discount could be available if matches now largely depend on only the final minutes rather than the full 80 minutes. Joking aside, however, there is a further quietly persuasive reason: which is Borthwick's trust toward emerging players such as Fin Baxter is grown so strong that England's "best" first lineup is not precisely what casual supporters would assume.

Picking Decisions

Whether that makes Borthwick to be "an adventurous selector" remains not something he is minded to talk about – "I'm not into tags... I aim and pick the best squad possible to get success" – but the team's current run of nine Test wins consecutively has reinforced the view how Test rugby is increasingly an entire squad game.

"I think each player recognizes that it's a team effort. All the individuals in camp helping us prepare each play a part. This type of selfless mindset hasn't necessarily existed present with England team. That was not my experience when I was a player."

Tough Judgments

Some delicate choices have had to be made, even so, due to injuries of key individuals. The coach also says he feels "blessed with options" at fly-half, and this time, the decision Northampton's young talent who misses out completely. Considering wet weather forecast, choosing an experienced player at No 10 is hardly a major surprise, and the security of New Zealand's back three under kicks is sure to be tested frequently.

Know-How plus Flexibility

Then, comes the added value of experience together with necessity to have a bench option that can slot into other positions, particularly as a key individual not yet fully fit. "I could have picked any of the three fly-halves then be sat here talking why they're the right player since I think they're all excellent," he said. "George provides very calm presence and possesses the skill to unite the team as one and [put] the team on to attack. It's what I'll be expecting him to deliver this weekend."

Closing Outlook

Can it prove sufficient? The team were defeated in all meetings against New Zealand previously by a total difference only a small amount, while in terms of taking opportunities, the opposition are highly effective ever. In that event, it's likely a strong possibility of a close battle that potentially come down to the last stages. Which is exactly what the England approach are expecting.