New Zealand still the team to beat for England's Genge

England prop Ellis Genge is adamant defeating New Zealand on Saturday will still rank as a landmark achievement for all the All-Blacks' recent struggles.

New Zealand, for so long the standard-setters in world rugby union, lost three of their six games in this year's southern hemisphere Rugby Championship after being edged out by a point by arch-rivals South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final.

England, however, open their November international campaign against New Zealand at Twickenham having beaten the All Blacks just eight times in 45 previous encounters stretching back to 1905.

Victory this weekend would constitute their first home win over the All Blacks in 12 years, with Steve Borthwick's side twice narrowly edged out 16-15 in Dunedin and 24-17 in Auckland during a two-test tour of New Zealand in July.

"Obviously you want to test yourself against the best and New Zealand have always been one of the best teams in the world," Genge told a pre-match press conference on Friday.

"I'm excited, man, been out of the mix for a while. Be nice to step back in and get my teeth sunk into it," added the 29-year-old, who missed the recent tour with a calf injury.

"I think everyone thinks about New Zealand being that team that moves the ball so well, but at the end of the day they pride themselves on set-piece, scrum and maul. That's a battle of attrition which I'm looking forward to."

The build-up to this weekend's match has been dominated by comments from Genge's fellow England prop, Joe Marler, calling for New Zealand to ditch their pre-match ritual haka.

Marler, not playing on Saturday, has since apologised for his remarks which England captain Jamie George say may have "prodded the bear".

It remains to be seen how England respond to the Maori war dance, with Genge saying: "We'll chat about it later on, we've got a meeting and we'll see what the crack is.

"We're not going to start climbing on each other's shoulders, but we'll sit there respectfully and watch it.

"I've only faced it once (in 2022). It's massive in the history of the game. Most people who aren't necessarily too interested in rugby still know what the haka is.

"It's bit of a challenge. I'm a big fan of it and I don't think we should get rid of it. You should be able to respond but everyone is respectful when they do that."

BARRET SAYS MARLER HAS 'LOADED GUN' WITH HAKA JIBE

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett suggested England's Joe Marler had "loaded the gun" ahead of Saturday's clash at Twickenham after calling on the All Blacks to ditch their pre-match ritual haka.

Marler, not playing on Saturday, has since apologised for his remarks which England captain Jamie George said may have "prodded the bear".

It was a sentiment echoed by All Blacks skipper Barrett, who made it clear his side had no intention of ditching the Maori war dance.

"He has probably loaded the gun hasn't he?," said Barrett when asked about Marler's comments at New Zealand's hotel on Friday.

"I guess there always opinions about the haka and its place. It is hugely important to us and has been to the All Blacks for a long time, we get a lot from it."

But the lock played down suggestions Marler's words would fuel New Zealand, with England having won just eight of their previous 45 Tests against the All Blacks and losing their last two encounters -- 16-15 and 24-17 reverses in Dunedin and Auckland in July.

"We don't need any extra motivation heading to Twickenham against a team that would desperately love to beat us so we have got to respect what is coming," said Barrett, whose brothers Beauden and Jordie are also in the starting XV.

"England haven't had a Test match since they played us in July so they'll have that stone in their shoe that they've been carrying for a while and they'll be keen to shake that off with a good performance," he added.

"Up front they always pose a threat –- George Martin, Jamie George, Maro Itoje. They've got a strong connection there.

"If they get gainline and fast ball for Marcus Smith and the backs they have, you can end up chasing the game. So it's about controlling the breakdown and getting good ball. It'll be an arm wrestle."

New Zealand lost three of their six matches in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, but Barrett said: "I feel like we've learnt a lot from the summer series and we're excited about whats ahead.

"We'll see in the next three Test matches (if we have our aura). We're playing the best of the northern hemisphere (they also take on France and Ireland this trip) so it's a great opportunity for this team."