The All Blacks squad has been confirmed for the second test of their series against England, with Scott Robertson nailing down his picks for the upcoming battle of Eden Park. The coach known as Razor has selected a similar match day 23 to that which secured a one point win over England in the first Test back in Dunedin.
There is one enforced change, as TJ Perenara misses out against England after picking up a knee injury. The scrum half has been replaced by Finlay Christie in the nine jersey, who progressed up from the bench for the start. Supporting Christie and hoping to make his Test match debut is Cortez Ratima, with the Chiefs man impressing throughout the recent Super Rugby season to get into the All Blacks squad for the Summer.
Once again, Robertson has left Beauden Barrett out of the starting line-up, and is back on the bench for the second Test. Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta is picked for the 15 jersey, with a Robertson again opting to utilise Barrett off the bench as coverage for both fly half and fullback.
1. Ethan De Groot (23)
2. Codie Taylor (86)
3. Tyrel Lomax (33)
4. Scott Barrett (70) (Captain)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (44)
6. Samipeni Finau (2)
7. Dalton Papali’i (33)
8. Ardie Savea (82) (Vice Captain)
9. Finlay Christie (22)
10. Damian McKenzie (48)
11. Mark Tele’a (10)
12. Jordie Barrett (58) (Vice Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (70)
14. Sevu Reece (24)
15. Stephen Perofeta (4)
16. Asafo Aumua (7)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (58)
18. Fletcher Newell (14)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (26)
20. Luke Jacobson (19)
21. Cortez Ratima (0)*
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (71)
23. Beauden Barrett (124)