All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson has announced a solitary change to the All Blacks squad for their upcoming clash against England in the second match of the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series at Eden Park, Auckland.
Halfback Finlay Christie has been called up to start in the No. 9 jersey following an injury to TJ Perenara, who has been ruled out of the second Test due to a leg injury. Christie, who last started in the All Blacks’ victory over Australia in August 2023, replaces Perenara after impressing as a substitute in the first Test in Dunedin.
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Additionally, Cortez Ratima is poised to make his Test debut after being named in the match-day 23, becoming the first of the new caps in the squad to earn a Test cap.
The backline remains otherwise unchanged, with Damian McKenzie at first five-eighth and Stephen Perofeta at fullback. In the forwards, Samipeni Finau has been cleared to play and will start at blindside flanker alongside openside Dalton Papali’i and No. 8 Ardie Savea, forming the unchanged loose trio.
The All Blacks match-day 23 for the second Test against England is as follows
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)
