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Best: No chance for England

This weekend in Christchurch England could be on the end of a severe hiding unless we really lift our game. Be careful about winding up the beast.

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New Zealand v England
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Interim tour manager Rob Andrew has named a new-look backline for Saturday's second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Only Mike Tindall and Topsy Ojo survive in the backs from the comprehensive 37-20 defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Former England coach Dick Best believes that it is a good move to play some of these players, but is concerned about the fly-half position.

"I think if you are going to take players along way around the world to somewhere like New Zealand, you have to give them a go, " Best told Sky Sports News.

"Especially at this stage when you are not sure how these fellows are going to go. I think Tom Varndell and Mathew Tait deserve an opportunity to play because they are good players and they need to be on the big stage."

Flood: sink or swim

However Best is disappointed with the choice of Toby Flood at fly-half and believes that he will stunt the attacking flair of Ojo, Varndell and Tait.

"I am not impressed. I think he is a good player in the centre and he can do a fair job in the Premiership when fills in for Jonny Wilkinson occasionally at flyhalf. But as a test flyhalf, well this is not the place you want him to be.

"What bothers me is the defensive attitude we have gone into this game with," explained Best.

"We have picked three centres, three fairly strong tackling centres because Charlie Hodgson missed one tackle that allowed someone to come through and score a try. So I think there is a little bit of over reaction and a reaction to what New Zealand have done rather than say this is how we are going to play.

"I can understand what they are trying to do with the midfield -- trying to bulk it up but it smacks of damage limitation as far as I am concerned.

"I can't see Varndell getting the ball," added Best.

" Not with someone like Flood at flyhalf. I think Flood will kick for position.

"This is a holding operation in my view. The midfield with Tindall, and Noon, and Flood will look to kick a bit more effectively, they will chase and try to put pressure on the All Blacks. Hopefully the forwards will play for the full eighty minutes, not just the twenty."

Future is bright

Best believes that the England team has got plenty of talent and that the experience of touring New Zealand will hold them in good stead.

"This is a very new look and exciting team that has gone to New Zealand to ground these guys against arguably the best rugby team in the world at the moment, " said Best.

"These guys are getting valuable experience learning about international rugby, learning about making mistakes at the top level.

"You would hope that the bulk of these players are back in three years time for the world cup. They are pretty good players in their own right."

More than damage limitation

However Best does not think that they have a hope in hell in the second Test and is hoping for an all round performance rather than just damage limitation.

"I would like us to take on New Zealand for the full eighty minutes at the breakdown. Our scrummaging was poor last week which should be an area of strength. I would like to see an all round performance, not just a defensive rearguard action to reduce the number of points."

Best has also warned that Andrew's verbal jousting with New Zealand could backfire come Saturday.

"You can always stick it to the Australians and sometimes the South African's because of the "arrogance" tag," warned Best.

"But be careful when you do it to New Zealand because it normally has an adverse effect. This weekend in Christchurch England could be on the end of a severe hiding unless we really lift our game. Be careful about winding up the beast."

"Any chance of England winning? No. No chance dream on."