Declan Rice says England have taken on ‘no d***heads rule’ under Southgate as they take inspiration from All Blacks
DECLAN RICE says an All Blacks-style “no d***heads” culture is driving England to Euro 2024 glory.
The New Zealand rugby team adopted the zero-tolerance policy a decade ago and Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is a big admirer.
Arsenal midfielder Rice says there is no sign of “d***heads” in England’s dressing room despite the intense club rivalries.
He said: “Do you know what? You maybe get one or two… but we’ve not got one.
“I’ve just played against Manchester City and I have probably spent most of my time on this trip with the City boys.
“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.”
The All Blacks’ culture is a means to the end of winning — and Rice revealed that England’s players learnt lessons by watching New Zealand beat Ireland to storm into the World Cup semi-finals last weekend.
Arsenal’s £105million signing said: “I’m not really the biggest of rugby fans but the games that I watched the other night have been gripping.
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“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.”
England’s 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday sealed Euro 2024 qualification and has fans dreaming the team could become football’s major force, as the All Blacks are in rugby.
Rice, 24, said: “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.
“We can talk about it as much as we can but we know, as players, it is now time to step up. There is no need for fear.
“We went to Naples and won in Italy for the first time in ages. We beat Italy at Wembley after they beat us at the last Euros — big performances. We’re ready.”