England defence coach Felix Jones, who helped coach the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups, helped deploy a successful blitz-system during his first Six Nations campaign.
The system took time to embed and early mistakes were exploited, but things clicked in round four as Ireland’s potent attack was well managed in England’s victory at Twickenham.
The Brave Blossoms fielded a young side and their inexperience showed with their failure to convert their initial breaks, although England’s scramble defence on their own line showed plenty of heart in stopping them.
Japan finally scored two late tries as they took advantage of England’s fatigue and changing line-up.
New Zealand’s backline is full of World Cup finalists who only need half a chance, so England’s defence will need to be water-tight for the full 80 minutes of both Tests.
Keeping a full complement of players will also be vital if Borthwick’s side are to win in New Zealand for the first time since 2003.
Their discipline has improved since three red cards across the World Cup warm-up matches and opening pool victory over Argentina, but in addition to Ewels’ red for a dangerous clearout tackle, Smith was sent to the sin-bin for an illegal tackle.
“We will need to go up several levels and I expect us to go up several levels when we face New Zealand,” Borthwick said.
“As will the discipline. You can’t give that many penalties away, we know that. You also can’t give New Zealand the space we gave Japan.”