MANCHESTER, UK (ATP):England rugby head coach Steve Borthwick and his staff have sought inspiration from their high-flying cricket counterparts, meeting with Brendon McCullum to discuss the “Bazball” philosophy ahead of Saturday’s opening autumn Test against Australia.
Borthwick and his number two, defence coach Richard Wigglesworth, met with McCullum and his assistants in Manchester this week to gain insights into the mindset that has transformed England’s Test cricket team since the New Zealander took charge in 2022.
The discussions were held as both English national sides prepare for major clashes with their bitter Australian rivals—the rugby team facing the Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday, and the cricket team preparing for the Ashes series starting November 21 in Australia.
Former England scrum-half Wigglesworth, 42, said the mental approach instilled by McCullum was of particular interest to the rugby coaching staff.
“We talked about loads of stuff and there was a lot of mindset stuff,” Wigglesworth said. “I asked Brendon how he changed that in English cricket, which was really interesting. Then we got into the technicalities of coaching someone one-on-one, what that looks like, his role as head coach in that versus his assistants.
“We sat for a good period of time and took loads from it. They’re on to a good thing.”
McCullum’s ‘Bazball’ approach is defined by an aggressive, fearless, and high-risk playing style. Borthwick is reportedly keen for his rugby side to emulate this positive, uninhibited mentality as they kick off their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
After beginning the series against Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, England will also face Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina this autumn.
