Eddie Jones has England under orders to turn Twickenham “into our 24th player” against the All Blacks - with or without a haka response.
The last time the nations met Owen Farrell lit the fuse for a sensational World Cup win by leading England’s V-formation challenge to New Zealand’s Maori war dance.
Three years on the men in black are on a revenge mission and Jones has warned they can expect another fierce welcome.
“The haka in 2019 had a massive effect on the fans,” said the Australian, remembering how captain Farrell’s smirk, caught on the stadium's big screen, fired up the atmosphere in Yokohama.
“On Saturday we’ve got a responsibility to light the crowd up and we want to, as they can be our 24th player.
“Whether it’s during the haka or post the haka I don’t really care. We’re going to go after them.”
England were fined £2,000 and reprimanded by World Rugby for allowing their players to cross the halfway line before that semi-final.
But it set the tone for one of the country's great performances and provided an indelible memory for all who witnessed it.
“I love that picture of Faz stood in the middle with the smirk on his face,” said team mate Ellis Genge. “I hope he’s got that on his wall.”
Genge claims the players are unlikely to repeat the V-routine as “it would be a bit ‘been there, done that”. But he said: "None of us are going into this thinking we are going to lose."
On the cards is a fast start from an England side showing three changes with Jack Nowell, Manu Tuilagi and Billy Vunipola back in the starting line-up.
“It takes a massive effort to beat New Zealand, our players understand that,” said Jones. “It’s like if you're a climber going to the top of Mount Everest.
“Traditionally they have bullied teams, so you’ve got to get on the front foot, be physical. You’ve got to truly believe you can win; that your strengths are stronger than theirs, that you will expose their weaknesses.
“We believe we’ve got strength that we can maximise against New Zealand. We believe there are weaknesses we can expose. We’re prepared.”
2012 was the last time England won this fixture on home turf. Genge remembers it well, though for all the wrong reasons.
“I was in a caravan site in Torquay watching it with my dad, I had toothache and was in a foul mood,” he said.
“Manu ran amok that day, didn’t he? It was good to watch. But it didn’t put me in a better mood.”
A decade later Genge intends to be the ones doling out - rather than feeling - the pain.
England: Steward; Nowell, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Simmonds, Curry, Vunipola.
Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Stuart, Ribbans, Willis, Youngs, Porter, Slade
NZ: B Barrett; Telea, Ioane, J Barrett, Clarke; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, Whitelock (capt), S Barrett, Papali'i, Savea
Replacements : Taukei'aho, Bower, Laulala, Frizzell, Sotutu, Perenara, Havili, Lienert-Brown
Andy Farrell says he is “bursting with pride” at son Owen’s 100th England cap.
The Ireland boss is preparing to take on Australia hours after Farrell jnr completes his century at Twickenham against the All Blacks.
“We are as parents, as a family, bursting with pride with what he's achieved,” said Farrell snr. “When I'm coaching against Owen or working with him, it's just work. But when you're watching your son play his 100th game as a parent, that's even more daunting and even more proud and even more nervous.
“Owen’s strength is like every person who gets to these type of milestones, his strength is he never think he's that type of player that you're talking about.
“They want to prove their self-worth as a team-mate and as a player every single week and that's why they stay right at the top through all the ups and downs.
“You know the sacrifice that's gone into a career and anyone who gets up to 100 caps, they've shown mental strength, physical strength and resilience in both of those as well.
“Then you add him being my son, it's pretty special.”
Ahead of England’s game Eddie Jones predicted that by the World Cup centre Manu Tuilagi will be better than ever.
“Manu is losing some of his physical power, as you do when you get older, and you have to develop the rest of your game. We're seeing that redevelopment in Manu now.
“I reckon in the next 11 months, you'll see a different - but better - version of Manu.”
