Dylan Hartley: England Need 'Perfect' Performance to Beat New Zealand

England hooker Dylan Hartley hopes to have done enough to win his 50<sup>th international cap against world champions New Zealand this weekend and believes only a "perfect game" will be sufficient to see history repeat itself at Twickenham.

Stuart Lancaster's side claimed a record 38-21 win over the All Blacks last December and after a sixth successive win at HQ over Argentina are primed for the visit of New Zealand, who have won all 12 of their matches in 2013.

Man-of-the-match from the 31-12 win over the Pumas, Hartley was indicative of an improved England display from the win over Australia, with the Northampton forward helping set a platform for Joe Launchbury, Billy Twelvetrees and Chris Ashton's first half tries by ensuring continuity at the line-out and the breakdown.

Hartley, who missed the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia through suspension, will reach half a century of international caps if fielded against New Zealand this weekend and the 27 year old claims to have done enough to pip Tom Youngs to start.

"Coming in that's how I knew I got in the team [through line-out prowess]," said Hartley. "That's what I bring and I wanted to back that up. First half, to put a proud, mauling, scrimmaging, tight unit team like Argentina under distress at the maul, even to score off, was very satisfying and to come away with 90% in the first half in the lineouts was also good.

"I know why I'm in the team and I know why I've got the opportunity and I think I made the most of it today. My form building to this campaign has been good coming in, it helps playing for a good team. I'm thrilled to be involved in this team at the moment; we're going in the right direction. I've not started against the All Blacks before, and every player wants that challenge."

The 26-19 win over France on Saturday night was the latest win of New Zealand's phenomenal 2013 where they have seen off all comers and will arrive at Twickenham as the undisputed No.1 team in world rugby.

Kiwi coach Steve Hansen has already played down the match representing a revenge mission for New Zealand but Hartley expects that factor to be the primary motivation for the 2011 World Cup winners.

"The All Blacks are seeded No.1 at the moment and if England want to go No.2 in the world, which we've set ourselves the challenge, we need to win next week," warned Hartley.

"I think against the All Blacks you have to play for 80 minutes, you can't have any lapse. You look at the All Blacks' recent form, they've been fantastic and they're coming here with the big No.1 badge on and no doubt about it they'll want a little bit of revenge.

"They're a proud team and a proud nation so I think the manner in which we put some points on them they'll be coming here for payback. We're going to have to be up for it and it's not just going to be a defensive effort, it's going to have to be the perfect game."