WORCESTER Warriors Rich-ard Blaze has vowed to fight fire with fire when he takes on the mighty New Zealand today in this year's Under 21 World Championship.
Giant second-row Blaze ca-me off the bench for the last half-hour of England's opening 34-8 win over Fiji last Friday and impressed coach Jim Mallinder enough to earn himself a start against the All Blacks.
Hotly-fancied New Zealand opened their campaign with a 75-16 demolition of Italy, but former King's Norton Boys' School student Blaze insisted he was ready for the step up.
He said: "We've seen the All Blacks' performance against Italy and they were impressive but we'll be ready for them. They are without doubt one of the favourites and we will go into the game as underdogs but we have a lot of confidence in our own ability.
"I was disappointed not to start the game against Fiji but I understand the coach picked what he felt was the best side.
"I made an impact from the bench and we all know it is a 26-man effort. Starting ag-ainst New Zealand will be great and I'm very excited."
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