1 Sep 2011

England coach doesn't think All Black losses are relevant

6:07 pm on 1 September 2011

England's rugby coach Martin Johnson doesn't think the All Blacks' back-to-back losses in the Tri Nations are relevant to their World Cup prospects.

Johnson says they've taken notice of the All Black defeats in the away Tri Nations matches in Port Elizabeth and Brisbane and of results for other teams

But he says speculation on what they and the northern hemisphere sides' warmup matches mean will stop as soon as the tournament starts.

Johnson says he's sure the All Blacks will still be very competitive and now it's all about what teams do on the day.

England play Argentina in Dunedin on Saturday week and before then some of the squad qwill visit Christchurch where England was to play two games before the February earthquake.