SECOND ROW
4. Maro Itoje (England and Saracens)
5. Scott Barrett (New Zealand and Crusaders)
When Maro Itoje is at his best, he is genuinely the best lock in the world. Itoje’s talents are admired over both hemispheres, with the Saracen garnering plenty of respect from the All Blacks aficionados ahead of both Test matches. The likes of Scott Robertson praised the lock for curtailing his side’s line-out momentum, and the second most capped All Black lock Ian Jones hand-picked Itoje as England’s top threat. A class act who scored a crucial try in Dunedin, Itoje takes the starting shirt for the ‘Black Roses’.
Partnering Itoje in the engine room is the new All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, with the Crusader off to winning ways for his time in charge of the side. Appointed to the role from his former Christchurch boss Scott Robertson, Barrett took up the armband from an injured Sam Cane, with the back-row unexpected to get it back any time soon. Barrett was a brilliant leader in both Tests, he kept his head and inspired the best from his teammates with a tireless work ethic, that has one the hearts and minds of the hard to please Kiwi fans.
BACK ROW
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (England and Harlequins)
7. Dalton Papali’i (New Zealand and Blues)
8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand and Kobelco Kobe Steelers)
The final chunk of our ‘Black Roses’ squad, begins with Chandler Cunningham-South taking up the six jersey. The New Zealand raised flanker has come a long way from the Canterbury academy, with Razor Robertson expecting big things of the man who in his words ‘took the white jersey’. Cunningham-South’s eagerness to star in his former homeland was evident with his explosive ball carries and staunch rearguard defending. The Harlequin continues to improve upon every England cap, with the flanker taking a starting role for the Test tour.
On the open-side flank we have selected Dalton Papali’i, who was the All Blacks top performer over the breakdown and made numerous turnovers when the chips were down. The Blues man has been on fine form throughout the latest Super Rugby season and was instrumental in his side’s title winning campaign. Papali’i rolled this into his black jersey performance at Eden Park, and ran out an exhaustive performance for his side against a valiant England squad.
Taking the number eight shirt is Ardie Savea, who handled the bountiful pressure upon his shoulders throughout the two Tests. Savea was in the spotlight given his call-in from Japan, with no place in Scott Robertson’s back row for Blues man Hoskins Sotutu, who had been brilliant all season in Super Rugby. Savea reminded the New Zealand fans of his talents with inspired performances across Dunedin and Auckland, that garnered a name-check from England number eight Ben Earl.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Codie Taylor (New Zealand and Crusaders)
17. Ethan de Groot (New Zealand and Highlanders)
18. Fletcher Newell (New Zealand and Crusaders)
19. George Martin (England and Leicester Tigers)
20. Ben Earl (England and Saracens)
21. Alex Mitchell (England and Northampton Saints)
22. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand and Chiefs)
23. Henry Slade (England and Exeter Chiefs)