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Cortez Ratima in line for debut as All Blacks name side to face England
By Ned Lester
Scott Robertson has promoted Finlay Christie to starting halfback in the absence of the injured TJ Perenara for the second Test against England at Eden Park on Saturday.
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The promotion means a potential debut off the bench for Chiefs youngster Cortez Ratima, named in the No. 21 jersey for the contest.
The matchday 23 is otherwise unchanged, with Razor and company opting for continuity as they seek a clean sweep in the series against Steve Borthwick’s squad.
That means a front row of Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax, who will be looking for more discipline at the scrum this time around.
Captain Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu will pack down behind them in the second row, with Samipeni Finau, Dalton Papali’i and Ardie Savea rounding out the forward pack.
Finlay Christie links up with Damian McKenzie in the halves, feeding a midfield of Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane.
A raucous Eden Park will welcome two hometown heroes in the back three, with Mark Tele’a and Stephen Perofeta running out for the first time in the black jersey on the same field they won the Super Rugby Pacific title with the Blues last month.
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All Blacks team to play England in game 2
- Ethan de Groot
- Codie Taylor
- Tyrel Lomax
- Scott Barrett
- Patrick Tuipulotu
- Samipeni Finau
- Dalton Papali’i
- Ardie Savea
- Finlay Christie
- Damian McKenzie
- Mark Tele’a
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Sevu Reece
- Stephen Perofeta
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett
Go you black bastards!
Quick pass, snipey runner, great support lines, big box kick, tough defender - bring him on early!
Last week was first test for several months, some new combinations, new coaches with new systems for attack and defence. It's quite obvious that they wouldn't be a slick well drilled unit after about 10 days together. IMHO 100% right call to go for continuity and let the same selection grow this week. This squad was picked to win 3 tests, let them.
As expected 👍
Even after England managed to disable Mckenzie picking him to start again?
‘I can imagine him slicing through a tired English side like a sharp hot knife through butter.
Would have been a good opportunity to see BB start and play to Mckenzies strengths.
Whats the England team?
Will be interesting to see if its a reverse of the strategies played in the last game, this time.
Glad to see they’ve retained the same squad, TJ’s injury aside.
I expect another close fought test match, with a margin less than 5 points.
All Blacks by 15 points.