PREVIEW: All Blacks v England (Auckland)

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After narrowly edging out England with a 16-15 victory last week, the All Blacks are aiming for a more decisive win this Saturday to secure a 2-0 series sweep and extend their 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park.

Match Details: All Blacks v England, Saturday 13 July, 7.05pm NZT, Eden Park, Auckland.

Played: 44

Won: All Blacks 34, England 8, Drawn 2

Last time: 16-15, 6 July 2024, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.

Referee: Nic Berry

FORTRESS EDEN PARK

The numbers speak for themselves. Eden Park is unparalleled in world rugby, perhaps even in world sport, as a fortress for the All Blacks. Since their defeat by France in 1994, the All Blacks have remained unbeaten in 48 consecutive games at this iconic ground over the past 30 years. Former All Blacks lock Ian Jones recently shared on the BBC Rugby Union Daily Podcast what makes the All Blacks so formidable at Eden Park:

"It is our spiritual home, our fortress. When you think of it as your fortress, you protect it with all your might. The All Blacks jersey already elevates you, but the expectation to play with all your heart and to not lose at Eden Park is ingrained. Because of that history, you feel bulletproof."


CHANGE AT NINE

Halfback Finlay Christie is the only change to the All Blacks starting fifteen for the clash at Eden Park, while Chiefs livewire Cortez Ratima is set for his Test debut after being named in the match-day 23. Christie earns the No.9 jersey after coming on as a substitute during the first Test win in Dunedin in place of TJ Perenara, who has been ruled out of the second Test with a leg injury. It will be Christie’s first Test start since the All Blacks 23-20 win over Australia in Dunedin in August 2023. King Country-born Ratima, 23, who was one of five new caps in the All Blacks squad for the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series, is set to become the first of those players to be capped.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SCRUM

All Blacks tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax said the home pack had absorbed England's approach at the scrum from Dunedin and were better prepared for Auckland. "They got a couple of penalties early on. It took us a little while to adapt to that, but we've worked on that this week and have respected them with good preparation. That's still an area we want to attack."  At the same time, Lomax praised the effort of 22-year-old England replacement prop Fin Baxter, who played 60 minutes after experienced prop Joe Marler was forced to leave the field due to a foot injury."I said at halftime that he was a guy who came on and really wanted to scrum, and he tried to pressure us. We got more of an even hit when he was on.” 

RAZOR’S WORD

All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the squad was prepared and ready to win the series at Eden Park. “Finlay has worked hard and earned his place in the starting side and it will be a proud day for Cortez and his whānau. He’s a talented young man who is ready for Test footy,” Robertson said. “We can feel New Zealand’s support here in Auckland and we will hear it at a sold-out Eden Park. It’s a very special venue to the All Blacks, and we’re going there on Saturday to win the series against England.”


WATCH AROUND THE WORLD

NZR+ is streaming the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series and other July internationals directly into territories that traditionally don't receive a live broadcast. Read the full story HERE to find out how you can watch the game.

TEAMS

All Blacks (Test caps in brackets)

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)

RESERVES:  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)

England:

1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 1 cap) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 92 caps) – captain   3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 40 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 83 caps) – vice-captain 5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps) 6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 6 caps) 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 37 caps) 8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 32 caps) – vice-captain 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 17 caps) 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 34 caps) 11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 10 caps) 12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 26 caps) 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 64 caps) – vice-captain 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps) 15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)

RESERVES: 16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 13 caps) 17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 6 caps) 18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 114 caps) 19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 6 caps) 20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 52 caps) 21. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps) 22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 4 caps) 23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

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