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Selecting your best starting XV in a major rugby contest appears more and more quaint today, evoking thoughts of past eras like vintage television. So much so that you could nearly expect finding the home team selection to face New Zealand on Saturday displayed in a reversed order. Despite the All Blacks in town, this traditional method of choosing players doesn't applies.

Focus on the Final Stages

Instead, the focus is centered on the game ends. This time, Steve Borthwick has chosen multiple experienced players for the substitutes versus just a few among the first XV. Around the second half mark this weekend, expect a mass substitution with fresh players joining play. Similar to South Africa's renowned "Bomb Squad" have demonstrated, this tactic can be extremely difficult for opponents.

Potential Pitfall

But, comes a minor snag. While playing the world's second-best sides, it's vital to begin well too. Holding out until the arrival from star replacements such as Ellis Genge and others might seem not so brilliant if the All Blacks build a significant advantage by halftime, as they did against Scotland last week.

But that's the modern approach in rugby. Furthermore not many are more knowledgeable on the subject than Borthwick, as he sat out several games on the substitute during his playing days.

Historical Context

Among those occasions, Borthwick mentioned this week, was the famous match against New Zealand abroad during 2003, when the forwards was cut to six due to yellow cards. At that time, he along with fellow reserves remained on the sidelines for the entire match.

Conversely, in Rome the previous year, Clive Woodward introduced multiple experienced leaders around the hour mark, strategy famously referred to like "the most illustrious substitutes since."

Today's Plan

This team's substitute choices almost matches those for "Big Dog" vibes, with England obviously aiming to overtake New Zealand in the final 20 minutes. "Every match we have faced versus New Zealand has been close toward the end," the coach stated. "Therefore it's crucial the right personnel available to close out strongly... utilizing such a degree of experience among substitutes is also a key asset for the team."

Spectator Perspective

Some those spending premium prices for seats at the stadium wondering if reduced pricing might be available since games currently effectively depend around just the final minutes instead of the entire 80 minutes. Joking aside, however, exists another subtly persuasive explanation: which is the coach's trust toward younger talents like Fin Baxter has grown so deep that the "strongest" starting lineup is not exactly as casual supporters would think.

Selection Choices

Whether that makes Borthwick to be "a bold coach" is a topic he inclined to talk about – "I don't go for labels... I aim to select the best team possible for the results" – but the team's current run with nine Test wins in a row has strengthened the view how international rugby has become more of a 23-man game.

"In my view every member recognizes that it's a collective endeavor. The 36 individuals in camp assisting the team get ready all contribute. This type of unselfish mindset has not always been present with past squads. It was different during my time as a player."

Delicate Decisions

Several delicate choices are having to occur, however, due to injuries of certain players. The coach also notes that "spoilt for choice" in key positions, so on this occasion, it is one club's Fin Smith who is omitted entirely. Considering wet weather forecast, the selection an experienced player at No 10 is hardly a huge shock, while ability of New Zealand's back three under kicks will likely to be examined often.

Experience plus Flexibility

Additionally, there is the extra value of experience and necessity to have substitute option that is able to fill in other positions, especially as a key individual still fully ready. "It was possible to picked either of the available playmakers then be sat here talking about how each is the right player since I think each one is terrific," Borthwick commented. "George is a very calm presence but also has the skill to bring everyone as one driving the team onto attack. That's what I'll be expecting from him to deliver on Saturday."

Closing Outlook

Will it prove enough? The team lost three times against the All Blacks last year by a total margin only 10 points, and regarding taking opportunities, the opposition are as sharp as any. Given this event, it's likely every chance of an intense battle that potentially come down to the last 20 minutes. That's exactly what the England setup is expecting.