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11 All Blacks changes as Robertson names team to take on England
By Liam Heagney
Scott Robertson has confirmed his All Blacks team to take on England this Saturday at Allianz Stadium, an XV with 11 changes from last Saturday’s tour opening win over Japan. New Zealand ran out convincing 64-19 winners in Yokohama in the opening match of their five-game trip and they have now unveiled a selection showing six backline changes and five more in the pack for their Twickenham renewal with the English.
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The All Blacks, who were 2-0 series winners in New Zealand when they countries clashed in July, have opted to only retain Mark Tele’a in a backline where he will be accompanied by the recalled Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan.
In the pack, the retained trio of Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi and Sam Cane are joined by Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, skipper Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’I and Ardie Savea.
An NZRU statement read: “The side to play England includes wholesale changes to the team that played Japan. Tamaiti Williams will start again at loosehead prop and will be joined by Tyrel Lomax and Codie Taylor to form the front row. Hooker Asafo Aumua and props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi will provide cover.
“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 No8, while Samipeni Finau takes an impact role this week.
“Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard will share the half-back duties this week with Ratima starting. Beauden Barrett will run the cutter at first five-eighth and brother Jordie Barrett returns from injury to play second five-eighth.
“Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke will take the wings, while Rieko Ioane starts at centre and Will Jordan at fullback. Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie will provide impact cover for the backs.
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Robertson said: “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.
“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.”
All Blacks (vs England, Saturday)
1. Tamaiti Williams (15 caps)
2. Codie Taylor (93)
3. Tyrel Lomax (40)
4. Scott Barrett (76) (captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (34)
6. Wallace Sititi (6)
7. Sam Cane (101)
8. Ardie Savea (90) (vice-captain)
9. Cortez Ratima (8)
10. Beauden Barrett (131)
11. Caleb Clarke (25)
12. Jordie Barrett (65) (vice-captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (77)
14. Mark Tele’a (16)
15. Will Jordan (37)
Replacements:
16. Asafo Aumua (16)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (64)
18. Pasilio Tosi (4)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (47)
20. Samipeni Finau (5)
21. Cam Roigard (6)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (80)
23. Damian McKenzie (57)
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So Tommy Freeman won't have the chance to make Sevu Reece's day hard. Expected it tbh.
Is De Groot injured?
Our best team of the year with some impact coming off bench. Cane is only weak link
I think this is a great team selection from the available players. A hefty mobile pack with punch off the bench. Stopping Itoje ruling the lineout will still be a challenge but if the poms' don't find touch then look out, that's a pretty dynamic counter attacking back three. My main concern is whether BB has an answer for the rush defense as he has struggled in the past, as has the whole group, including the coaches! This said, on paper, its a pretty scary AB's team for any opposition. If they click, they will thrash England & silence the detractors!
Apparently its the first test ever that BB and JB have started at 10, 12 respectively. I dont believe JB was the 12 when BB was at the Canes either.
Okay. Now just go out there, keep it simple, & smash the Poms. Cheers for that.
I don’t get how BB has leap frogged Dmac on the back of one average boring assed x-factorless missionary-with-the-lights-off performance against Aussie.
I’d rather pick Plummer or Cam Miller or Perofeta. Hell, I’d put hoskins at 10 ahead of Beaugan.
I’m guessing Dmac needs a rest?
Sure Damien makes the odd error or decision that makes me pray they don’t drug test for weed, but he also rips into half gaps and has an unmatched (if occasionally inaccurate) skill set.
Agree. It stinks of a premeditated decision and has nothing to do with the facts around the games played. How is it DMs fault that his team mates let in more tries in game 1 v Aus than game 2. That was the only difference. Well that and the fact that BB didnt create the opportunities that Dm did. DM had to come on and set up a score post the 60min mark for the win.
If Scott Robertson has any Kahunas, he starts Ratima and Beauden, with Roigard and McKenzie as impact off the bench.
Go the All Blacks...time to pocket some posies...onwards and upwards...
Err, this is an article giving the team that's selected to play this week?!? 🤣
FTFY👍
Decent team, I would very much like to see Lakai in for Cane, but other than that this is the best 23 we have put out this year.
BB at 15, Jordan at 14, Dmac at 10 and Telea out completely is a stronger team. Love to replace Dmac on bench
Apart from resting the 10, agreed.
Its the role they want from Cane that has him picked. Smash all close to the ruck, be a link man when needed and let Savea and Sititi carry hard with good footwork and ball play. Lakai's time will come but he needs a bit more experience and being part of the squad will help
Can’t argue too much with this side. Expected to see BB at 10 and Dmac off the bench.
Williams is due a big game if he is going to nail down the no.1 jersey.
Also expected to see Clarke at 11. High balls incoming.
I see them changing to the right wing as it was Telea that couldnt catch when they were in NZ and he is now , sadly, the right winger. Razor is weakening the whole team to have Jorden at 15. Team much better with him at 14.
Clarke has just been injured this year, he's first choice, that he's better under the highball is just an aside.
Clarke is very good under high ball. Its Tele'a who cannot catch a high ball to save his life.
De Groot, has he gone from first choice to third?
De Groot dropped for internal disciplinary reasons.
DeGroot is not a threat as a ball carrier. Williams and DeGroot are both destructive scrummagers.
AB by 10