After passing their biggest off-field financial test, the All Blacks now face their biggest on-field test at the end of the year tour. Wins over Ireland and Scotland have led to a showdown at Twickenham against England, which was the scene of a dramatic test between the two sides this time last year.
England have started their northern hemisphere season with two wins of their own, a comprehensive one over the Wallabies followed by a pretty scratchy performance against Fiji last weekend.
England v All Blacks
Kickoff: 4.10am Sunday, 16 November
Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), London
Team lists
England: 1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jamie George, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Alex Coles, 6. Guy Pepper, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. George Ford (vice-captain), 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 14. Tom Roebuck, 15. Freddie Steward
Bench: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Chandler Cunningham-South, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Marcus Smith
All Blacks: 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
Bench: 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
England selections
A couple of eyebrows have been raised at the selection of George Ford and Fraser Dingwall as the first and second five pairing, which hints at a kick-heavy game plan from coach Steve Borthwick. However, there's genuine excitement at the prospect of a 'Pom Squad' off the bench, with props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and loose forwards Tom Curry and Henry Pollock being withheld for later in the test.
All Blacks selections
Only one change due to the match up, with Simon Parker starting at blindside ahead of Wallace Sititi. That means Du'Plessis Kirifi drops out, along with Sam Darry due to Scott Barrett's return from injury, which moves Josh Lord to the bench. Billy Proctor and Anton Lienert-Brown come in as centre starter and cover respectively, while Leicester Fainga'anuku moves out to the wing.
Key stats
The All Blacks and England have played 46 times, with the All Blacks winning 36, England eight, with two draws. The last English win was their famous World Cup semifinal victory in 2019.
The top English points scorer in the fixture is Owen Farrell, with 96 in 10 tests. He has never scored a try in that total, unlike All Black top points scorer Dan Carter, who bagged four in his total of 178 points in 12 tests.
Twickenham is the most played at venue for this fixture, with 25 tests played there. However, the first test between the two nations predates the famous home of English rugby, with the 15-0 win by the All Blacks in 1905 played at Crystal Palace.
What they're saying
"We're just looking for a result. You look at these games, how tight they are in the margins, and there's two quality teams both got clear DNA, how they want to play. Discipline, keep trusting ourselves and keep playing is the key." - All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
"Every game it has spiked how much they have kicked. Last year at Twickenham, they came and the first thing they did is go 'right, we are kicking this ball'. It is that tactical element of it and it will be interesting to see if that's what Scott Robertson has asked his team to do." - England coach Steve Borthwick.
The last time they met
All Blacks 24 - 22 England
It was Damian McKenzie to the rescue last year, with the utility back coming off the bench to engineer Mark Tele'a's late try, then calmly kicking the sideline conversion to win the game. He wasn't alone in his heroics though, Patrick Tuipulotu played a great shift as a replacement as well, while Tele'a, Asafo Aumua and Wallace Sititi were massive as well.
What's going to happen
This has all the ingredients of another thriller, with both sides creating an interesting styles clash. Robertson has talked about how the All Blacks want to play an up tempo game but really they will revert back to kicking as soon as they feel under pressure. The scrum will be intense, as the All Blacks will feel like they have a bit of a point to prove after a somewhat tepid return against Scotland.
Once again though, if England want to win they will need to chance their arm at some stage - it's just whether they know exactly when or how to get the ball as fast as they can to the men who can take advantage.
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