England have made two front-row modifications for his or her Check match with New Zealand in Dunedin.
Props Joe Marler and Will Stuart are the one modifications to Saturday’s facet which beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo, changing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole.
Stuart scored two tries as England scored 19 unanswered factors within the final 10 minutes to attract 25-25 draw at Twickenham within the sides’ final assembly in November 2022.
Cole drops to the bench and is in line to win his 114th cap to equal Jason Leonard as England’s second-most capped males’s participant, whereas Fin Baxter and Ollie Sleightholme might win their first caps.
Alex Coles replaces the suspended Charlie Ewels among the many substitutes with Ben Spencer coming onto the bench for Harry Randall.
“It doesn’t get tougher than enjoying New Zealand at residence, nevertheless it’s precisely the place we wish to be,” England coach Steve Borthwick stated.
“We wish to discover out extra about ourselves and take a look at ourselves in opposition to among the finest groups on the planet.
“Check rugby is a recreation of high-quality margins, so our mindset goes to be crucial on Saturday. We’ll have to be mentally robust, play a tactically good recreation, and preserve our self-discipline.”
New Zealand will identify their group on Thursday.
The 2 Checks open Scott Robertson’s tenure as head coach of the All Blacks, who even have a brand new captain in lock ahead Scott Barrett.
Steve Borthwick, Head Coach of England. (Picture by Paul Harding/Getty Imag
The second match will probably be per week later at Auckland’s Eden Park, the place the All Blacks haven’t misplaced since 1994.
“Their recreation is constructed off round their set-piece and placing you below strain within the fallacious elements of the sphere,” All Blacks ahead Codie Taylor stated of England.
England warmed up by thrashing Japan 52-17 in Tokyo 9 days in the past earlier than flying in for his or her first tour of New Zealand since 2014.
“They confirmed some great things in opposition to Japan,” Taylor instructed reporters in Wellington. “They’ve been over right here, working away. It’s going to be a bloody powerful match.”
England have gained eight of 43 Checks in opposition to the All Blacks, however solely two of these victories have been on New Zealand soil.
The All Blacks haven’t performed since dropping the Rugby World Cup last to South Africa in Paris in October, since when England performed within the Six Nations, ending third.
Taylor gave little away about how New Zealand will play below Robertson, who led Canterbury Crusaders to seven straight Tremendous Rugby titles.
“We’ve talked about readability and connection, and the way we wish to play. Inside that, there’s some thrilling issues,” Taylor stated.
Codie Taylor. (Picture by Dianne Manson/Getty Photographs)
“We all the time pleasure ourselves in enjoying what’s in entrance of us, nevertheless it’s coping with the likes of an England group that wishes to place you below strain and get the ball behind you.”
All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen hinted that the facet’s techniques wouldn’t embrace radical modifications.
“Basically, it’s going to be round our set-piece skill to create momentum and construct strain,” he stated.
“That may nonetheless be our DNA, that’s All Blacks rugby. We’re excited to see the group come collectively for the primary time.”
England full-back George Furbank stated they anticipated Robertson to have made an influence.
“He’s a profitable coach, have a look at all of the trophies he gained with the Crusaders,” Furbank instructed reporters in Auckland. “He is aware of the way to get a group to win.”
The fullback anticipated New Zealand to stay to their strengths.
“They’ve an excellent off-loading recreation, they’re excellent on the entrance foot, particularly at residence,” Furbank stated.
“We all know there’s a large problem coming this weekend.”
ENGLAND TEAM:
George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (capt), Joe Marler. Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme.
