LONDON (Reuters) – Beauden Barrett will start at flyhalf for New Zealand against England on Saturday, with his brothers Scott and Jordie also in the powerful-looking side named by coach Scott Robertson on Thursday.
Only three players retained their spot from last week’s experimental team’s win over Japan as Robertson returns to his strongest lineup for the first match of their November tour.
Jordie Barrett, who missed the final Rugby Championship game against Australia though injury, is at inside centre and Scott captains the side from the second row.
Mark Tele’a comes in for Sevu Reece on the right wing and Tamaiti Williams replaces Ethan de Groot at looeshead prop.
Cortez Ratima starts at scrumhalf with Cam Roigard, who played his first test of the year against Japan after injury, covering from the bench.
The All Blacks beat England twice on home soil in July, both close games.
“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,” Robertson said.
“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.”
New Zealand team to play England on 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)
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed Osmond)
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