International – All Blacks Made Wholesale Changes For England Clash

 

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson and his co-selectors, Assistant Coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison, have named their All Blacks team to play England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday at 17:10 (SA Time).

The side includes wholesale changes to the team that played Japan, with only three players retaining their spot for this week.

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 no. 8, while Samipeni Finau takes an impact role this week.

Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard will share the halfback 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.

Unavailable due to injury: Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali'i (upper hamstring).

Team (Test caps in brackets):

1.    Tamaiti Williams (15)
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)