Arsenal star Declan Rice insists England follow New Zealand’s All Blacks with ‘no d***heads’ rule
Declan Rice claims England have adopted the “no d***heads” culture used by the New Zealand rugby team as they look ahead to Euro 2024.
The Three Lions sealed a place in Germany next summer with a 3-1 victory over Italy on Tuesday night.
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Arsenal star Rice has since revealed Gareth Southgate's side have taken a leaf out of the All Blacks' book by adhering to a zero-tolerance policy within their squad.
Such method was put in place by the New Zealand rugby team a decade ago, and England are using it as inspiration.
On the “no d***heads” policy, Rice said: “Do you know what? You maybe get one or two... but we’ve not got one.
“I’ve just played against Manchester City [for Arsenal] and I have probably spent most of my time on this trip with the City boys.
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“It just shows what it’s like. You have such a laugh and I’m already looking forward to coming back in three weeks.
“That’s a major credit to Gareth because of how he is.
“The training is so good. We love coming here and I can’t speak highly enough of it.”
Rice added that he and his teammates will use the All Blacks as inspiration on the pitch, too, having watched New Zealand beat Ireland in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals last weekend.
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“I’m not really the biggest of rugby fans but the games that I watched the other night have been gripping," he continued.
“Towards the end, Ireland had, like, 35 attacks in the last wave and New Zealand were on the line.
“We can take lessons from the fact that it’s about leaving everything out there. If you want to win, you’ve got to do everything mentally and physically.
“All the subs that came on to the pitch, they all knew their roles.
“There was a lot of inspiration to take, especially from our England side as well, who were written off a lot and are showing a lot of fight and character.”
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Rice added: “Gareth has met the All Blacks a few times.
“We’ve had some people in before to do some talks. Not only the All Blacks. England as well, South Africa.
“How to get over the line. How to do things differently and how to have that mindset of, ‘We ain’t getting beaten’.
“That is what we’re starting to achieve. We have all the talent but it is about that mindset and drive to be the best.
“Next summer is a chance to do something no English team has done.
“We have to be level-headed about it but there is one objective and that is to win on foreign soil.
England's 3-1 victory over Italy sealed their qualification for Euro 2024 in Germany next summer and has certainly got fans dreaming.
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