All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett will return to the starting line-up to play England at Twickenham, with head coach Scott Robertson breaking up the in-form midfield partnership to cover for the loss of the injured Caleb Clarke on the left wing.
In one of Robertson's bigger decisions this week, Leicester Fainga’anuku will move from centre to replace Clarke, with Billy Proctor wearing the No.13 jersey for the eighth time this year alongside second-five Quinn Tupaea.
There will be pressure on Proctor to continue the tackle-breaking momentum provided by Fainga'anuku and Tupaea over the past two Tests of the Grand Slam tour.
Anton Lienert-Brown comes on to the reserves bench as midfield cover for potentially only his third Test of the year.
Otherwise, the backline remains the same, with Cam Roigard at halfback, Beauden Barrett wearing the No.10 jersey and Leroy Carter and Will Jordan the other outside backs. Damian McKenzie, so good off the bench against Scotland, remains in the No.23 jersey this week.
There is no room for Rieko Ioane, a potential starter on the left wing. His last Test was against the Wallabies in Perth early last month.
Captain Barrett’s return from a gashed leg which forced him from the field in Chicago and ruled him out of the Scotland Test will bring much-needed leadership to a pack which will be thoroughly tested by England, ranked No.4 in the world.
Barrett will start alongside Fabian Holland, with Josh Lord dropping to the bench.
In what may be considered a minor surprise, Robertson has also decided to break up his in-form loose forward trio, with Simon Parker – not required at Murrayfield – starting in the No.6 jersey alongside Ardie Savea and Peter Lakai. Wallace Sititi drops to the bench.
Parker will bring bulk and will be expected to provide a relentless workrate against a big England pack, with Sititi, yellow carded against Scotland, picked to bring impact in the second half.
In a statement tonight, Robertson said of the Test, which kicks off at 4.10am on Sunday NZT: “Twickenham is one of the iconic venues in world rugby and there is nothing quite like hearing 80,000 fans singing ‘Swing Low’ to get the adrenaline pumping.
“Recent games against England have been incredibly close-fought, and both teams are coming off a run of wins, so we are expecting an epic clash on Saturday afternoon. We will embrace the atmosphere and the occasion.”
The Hillary Shield, which the All Blacks have held since 2013, will again be up for grabs, with this Test marking the 100th anniversary since the All Blacks’ first at Twickenham – played by the ‘Invincibles’ in January, 1925.
Five of the last seven games between the All Blacks and England have been decided by three points or fewer.
The last time England beat the All Blacks was in 2019 – the semifinal of the World Cup. New Zealand last lost at Twickenham in 2012.
All Blacks team to play England at Twickenham:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan.
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie.
Unavailable for selection: Caleb Clarke (concussion), Luke Jacobson (concussion), Samipeni Finau (family illness), Jordie Barrett (high ankle).
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