Zealand – England: Change in every aspect
Winners of the first Test match of the series, last Saturday against England (16-15), New Zealand return to XV de la Rose for revenge, Saturday (8:05 am).
All Black coach Scott Robertson has named his starting line-up for this second shock, which includes just one change from the one formed a week ago.
Finlay Christie comes in behind the crowd for the injured TJ Perenara. Cortez Ratima, who has not played yet, will be on the bench.
For the rest, it's classic, especially with the starting XV totalling 605 selections, or 40 per player on average.
Dan Cole #115?
On the England side, there is just one change to report too. Prop Fin Baxter, who won his first cap last week, starts on the left of the front row, with Bevan Rodd taking his place on the bench.
As a substitute at kick-off, Dan Cole could celebrate his 115th cap if he comes on, making him the second most capped England player of all time behind Ben Youngs.
The match will be played at Eden Park, a venue where New Zealand have not lost in 30 years. The last team to win at the legendary Auckland venue were the Blues (23-20 on 3 July 1994). Since then, the All Blacks have gone 48 games unbeaten (46 wins and two draws).
New Zealand
The fifteenth beginning: Peruvia – Rees, Ewan, J. Barrett, Telia – (S) Mackenzie, (M) Christie – Papale, A. Savia, Finau – Topoloto, S. Barrett (Cap) – Lomax, Taylor, De Groot.
Alternatives: Oumou, Tongfasi, Newell, Fay, Jacobson, Ratima, Lenert-Brown, B. Barrett.
England
Starting XV: Forbank – Vey-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman – (S) Mr Smith, (M) Mitchell – Underhill, Earle, Cunningham-South – Martin, Itoje – Stewart, George (Cap), Baxter.
Subs: Dunn, Rudd, Cole, Coles, Carey, Spencer, F Smith, Sleatholm.
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