All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan admits that Scott Robertson’s men will need a significant improvement against England this weekend otherwise their Grand Slam dream will be dashed.

New Zealand head to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to take on Steve Borthwick’s side knowing that a victory on Saturday will see them overcome a huge hurdle on their way to the Grand Slam.

Robertson’s outfit have already defeated Ireland and Scotland on their northern hemisphere tour but most believe that the England game will be their toughest challenge this month.

In-form England

The hosts have beaten the Wallabies and Fiji in their end-of-year series and look an improve team under Borthwick following nine successive victories.

Providing the All Blacks can get over the line this weekend just Wales lie in wait, who remain in a dreadful state and shipped over 50 points to Argentina on Sunday.

“I think you’ve seen some sparkles of how we want to play and when we do it’s really great, and I think England have found their DNA,” Kirwan said on the Rivals podcast.

“It’s a competition of two DNAs. We need to run them around, we need to make sure that we’re running them from right to left, but to do that you need to get your error count down and you also need to be really disciplined.

“When you do kick it, it needs to be really effective so you can create that pressure. It’s the Grand Slam in the making, no disrespect to Wales, if we can get through this one.

“Twickenham’s always hard to play. It’s massive crowd, it’s a great atmosphere and a great stadium to play at, so I’m really excited about it.”

The All Blacks almost came unstuck in their previous match against Scotland, despite being 17-0 ahead at the break.

Gregor Townsend’s men responded to level at 17-17 with 20 minutes remaining but Damian McKenzie came off the bench to inspire New Zealand in the latter stages.

“I thought our first half was really dominant and then the Scottish came out second half and were very, very good,” Kirwan said.

“It started with a couple of errors in the second half but what I liked was the composure when it was 17-all. If you’re going to win a Grand Slam, you have to have a game like that where you’re under the pump.

“Damian McKenzie was outstanding. That 50/22 was unbelievable, got us down there and then that miracle try.”

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All Blacks’ young locks

Kirwan was also pleased with the performance of their callow second-row combination with captain Scott Barrett forced to miss the Murrayfield Test due to injury.

“I was really happy for our locks. Josh Lord was outstanding, he’s been around a little while but he’s had a couple of injuries,” he added.

“With Fabian [Holland], I saw footwork on the weekend, which means this kid is really working hard on his game. Last weekend he reminded me a little bit of Brodie Retallick.

“I thought our discipline let us down a wee bit; three yellow cards so we got away with it.

“We’re going to have to play a whole lot better against England because I think they’re going pretty well but, with youngsters standing up, I’m happy with it.”

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