All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named Beauden Barrett at starting first-five and Cortez Ratima at halfback in his team set to take on England at Twickenham this Sunday.
The team features a plethora of changes from the one that took on Japan last week, as expected, with just three players featuring from the starting side in Yokohama.
One of the main points of contention this week has been the halfback situation, and Robertson has given Ratima the nod over Cam Roigard to start alongside Barrett at first-five.
Jordie Barrett returns from injury to play second-five and will be joined by Rieko Ioane in the midfield, which has been a familiar setup for Robertson lately.
In the front row, Tamaiti Williams will start again at loosehead prop and will be joined by Tyrel Lomax and Codie Taylor. Hooker Asafo Aumua and props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi will provide cover off the bench.
Beauden Barrett starts at No.10, while Cortez Ratima has been chosen to start at halfback. (Source: 1News)
Ethan de Groot has been dropped by Robertson for not meeting “internal standards”.
Captain Scott Barrett will partner with Tupou Vaa’i at lock, with Patrick Tuipulotu in reserve.
In the loose forwards, Wallace Sititi moves to blindside, Sam Cane remains at openside flanker and Ardie Savea enters the team at number eight, with Samipeni Finau on the bench.
Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke have been named on the wings, and Will Jordan makes up the back three starting at fullback.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie will provide impact cover for the backs.
Robertson said the team was preparing for a boisterous Twickenham atmosphere and a determined England side.
“While we have met England twice this year already, four months is a long time in rugby and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July,” Robertson said.
“Twickenham is such an iconic place to play and the roar of the crowd there is like few others. The All Blacks have had some fierce battles there in recent years and that’s a challenge that we will step forward to, especially with the Hillary Shield at stake.”
The Hillary Shield will be awarded to the winner of the Test with the All Blacks currently Shield holders after the two Test wins in July.
Three players are still unavailable due to injury with loose forwards Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali'i (upper hamstring) all out for this Test.
All Blacks team to play England at Twickenham, London on Sunday, kick-off 4.10am:
1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Ardie Savea (vc), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett (vc), 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele’a, 15. Will Jordan.
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie.
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