Andrew insists: New Zealand tour will give us 2011 World Cup boost

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In charge: Rob Andrew and England skipper Steve Borthwick at Dunedin

"We've got some younger guys in the squad who we feel will be in the mix for 2011 so it's ideal for them to come to New Zealand and feel the rugby atmosphere here," said Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite performance director, who is deputising for the unavailable Johnson.

The absences have allowed England to look to the future, with the likes of
Northampton's New Zealand-born hooker Dylan Hartley included in the squad.

The experience of playing the All Blacks in Tests in Auckland and Christchurch
could prove invaluable ahead of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

"We've talked a lot in the last three or four weeks with the other coaches about the sorts of players we wanted to bring down here, what we wanted to get out of the tour and what we wanted to learn," added Andrew.

"We feel we've got another generation of players coming through and many of them we have brought here.

"Some of the younger guys may not get on the field but will experience New Zealand three years out from the World Cup."

The All Blacks will play their first match since being upset and ousted from the World Cup quarter-finals by France when they take on Ireland in Wellington on Saturday.

England then provide the opposition, with the first Test at Eden Park on June 14 before heading to Christchurch to play the second Test on June 21.