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Choosing the best lineup for a big rugby contest feels increasingly old-fashioned today, evoking thoughts of bygone days like vintage television. So much so where you could almost anticipate finding the home team lineup to face New Zealand on Saturday printed with a reversed sequence. Despite New Zealand visiting, this traditional way for choosing the team no longer applies.

Emphasis on the Final Stages

Instead, the focus is all about the game ends. On this occasion, Steve Borthwick opted to selected multiple British & Irish Lions for the bench versus just a few in the starting lineup. At some point the 50-minute point on Saturday, there will be a mass change involving new talent joining play. Similar to South Africa's famous "Bomb Squad" has demonstrated, this tactic is very tough for opponents.

Potential Pitfall

But, there is one minor snag. When facing one of the globe's top-tier sides, it's crucial to start strongly too. Holding out for the introduction of key replacements like Tom Curry or teammates could seem less brilliant should New Zealand take a large advantage by halftime, as they did against the Scots last week.

But that's the modern way for you. And few are more expert on this topic compared to the England coach, as he sat out multiple games as an unused substitute in his playing days.

Historical Examples

Among those matches, Borthwick mentioned recently, is a notable match versus the All Blacks in Wellington back in 2003, when England's pack were reduced to six due to disciplinary issues. At that time, he along with other reserves stayed unused throughout the match.

Conversely, during a match in Italy earlier, the then-coach introduced four experienced leaders after 56 minutes, a move famously referred to like "the most illustrious bench since."

Today's Strategy

This England substitute selection almost rivals those in terms of "Big Dog" energy, as England clearly aiming to overtake New Zealand in the last 20 minutes. "Each match we have faced against them has been close late," the coach said. "Therefore we need suitable personnel on to close out strongly... utilizing that level of experience among substitutes is also a key advantage for the team."

Fan Perspective

Some fans spending premium rates for seats this weekend questioning if a discount might be available if matches currently effectively depend on only 20-odd stages instead of the entire 80 minutes. Seriously, however, exists another subtly persuasive reason: which is the coach's trust in younger talents such as Joe Heyes is becoming sufficiently strong so that the "strongest" starting team may not be exactly what casual supporters might think.

Picking Choices

Whether that qualifies Borthwick as "a bold selector" is a topic he's is minded to talk about – "I'm not into tags... I try to select the strongest team we possibly can for success" – but England's ongoing streak with nine victories in a row has strengthened the view how international the sport has become increasingly a 23-man game.

"I think every player understands this is a collective endeavor. All the players in camp helping the team prepare all contribute. This type of unselfish mindset has not necessarily been the case with past squads. That was not my experience during my time as playing."

Delicate Judgments

Several difficult judgments are having to be made, however, due to the absence of key players. Borthwick also notes that "spoilt with options" at fly-half, so on this occasion, the decision Northampton's Fin Smith who misses out completely. Considering the damp weather forecast, choosing of George Ford in the pivotal role is hardly a major surprise, and ability the All Blacks' defense under kicks is sure face examined often.

Know-How and Flexibility

Then, there is the added value of seasoned players and necessity for a bench player who can fill in other positions, particularly with a key individual still completely fit. "I could have picked any of the three playmakers then explain here talking about how they're the right player since I think each one is excellent," Borthwick said. "George provides very calm leader and possesses the skill to bring the team together driving them onto attack. It's exactly what expecting him to deliver this weekend."

Closing Outlook

Can it prove enough? The team were defeated three times against New Zealand last year with a combined margin only a small amount, while in terms of taking chances, Scott Robertson's side are as sharp as any. In that scenario, there must be a strong possibility of a close battle that could come down to the last stages. Which is clearly what this approach are expecting.