England Rugby
Henry: Massive step forward for England
ESPN Staff
December 3, 2012
England's Chris Robshaw embraces assistant coach Graham Rowntree, England v New Zealand, Twickenham, England, December 1, 2012
Chris Robshaw and Stuart Lancaster celebrate their win over the All Blacks © PA Photos
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Former All Black coach Graham Henry believes England's victory over New Zealand could be a major step in the development of Stuart Lancaster's young side.

England ended the All Blacks 20-game unbeaten run at Twickenham on Saturday with a 38-21 victory, which was their biggest win over the All Blacks. And Henry, who led the All Blacks to World Cup success last year, believes the victory will give England a major boost after losing four times in five matches against south hemisphere opposition this year.

"The win will do a great deal of good for the players psyche and Stuart's psyche," he told Sky Sports News. "They know they can do it now. And knowing they can do it is a good foundation to build from."

Henry, who is currently working in a consultant role with Argentina, insists the next step for England is to produce such performances on a regular basis and, crucially, when the pressure and expectation is on them against supposedly inferior opposition.

"I guess now it is about winning the games that they are meant to win," he said. "When you win games that you aren't meant to win it is because you have no expectation, no pressure and you play with no worries. You just go out and play and it is easier.

"There is more pressure playing a game that you are expected to win than one when you are not expected to win. Now Stuart's and Chris Robshaw's job is to get them over the hump of playing well against the teams that they are expected to beat, and beat well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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