England captain Jamie George says his side will not be in awe of the All Blacks as they bid to win a series in New Zealand for the first time.
Only twice has an England side won a Test match in New Zealand – in 1973 and 2003 – and never a two or three-match series.
England face the All Blacks in Dunedin on 6 July and at Eden Park in Auckland a week later.
“I think the aura and the respect that we have for them is as high as it has even been,” George told BBC Sport.
“But at the same time we can’t sit back and pay too much respect, we have got to go over there and assert ourselves in the way that we want to.
“If we are just in awe of what the All Blacks are, then we are not going to be in the right headspace to go out and beat them.
“And that is our intention. To go over there and beat New Zealand in New Zealand.”
England tuned up for the All Blacks series with a convincing 52-17 win over Japan in Tokyo, and land in New Zealand this week determined to make history.
“What I am excited about for the guys that haven’t toured New Zealand is the passion for rugby in New Zealand,” George added.
“You walk down the street and everyone loves the All Blacks and loves telling you how much the All Blacks are going to beat you by.
“It is all part of the amazing journey of touring New Zealand.
“It’s challenging because they are a great team with amazing support, but at the same time I think we are really happy with where we are at, and if we go down there as underdogs we don’t mind that either,” George said.
