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Wholesale of changes as All Blacks name squad to play England

All Blacks players huddle. PHOTO/Youtube

The side includes wholesale changes to the team that played Japan, with only three players retaining their spot for this week.
Tamaiti Williams will start again at loosehead prop and will be joined by Tyrel Lomax and Codie Taylor to form the front row. Hooker Asafo Aumua and props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi will provide cover.

Captain Scott Barrett will partner with Tupou Vaa’i at lock, with Patrick Tuipulotu in reserve. In the loose forwards, Wallace Sititi moves to blindside, Sam Cane remains at openside flanker and Ardie Savea enters the team at no. 8, while Samipeni Finau takes an impact role this week.

Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard will share the halfback duties this week with Ratima starting. Beauden Barrett will run the cutter at first five-eighth and brother Jordie Barrett returns from injury to play second five-eighth. Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke will take the wings, while Rieko Ioane starts at centre and Will Jordan at fullback.  Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie will provide impact cover for the backs.

Head Coach Scott Robertson said the team was preparing for a boisterous Twickenham atmosphere and a determined England side.

“While we have met England twice this year already, four months is a long time in rugby and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July.

“Twickenham is such an iconic place to play and the roar of the crowd there is like few others. The All Blacks have had some fierce battles there in recent years and that’s a challenge that we will step forward to, especially with the Hillary Shield at stake.”

The Hillary Shield will be awarded to the winner of the Test. The All Blacks are the Hillary Shield holders after winning the two Test Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series in New Zealand in July.

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)

1.    Tamaiti Williams (15)
2.    Codie Taylor (93)
3.    Tyrel Lomax (40)
4.    Scott Barrett (76) (Captain)
5.    Tupou Vaa’i (34)
6.    Wallace Sititi (6)
7.    Sam Cane (101)
8.    Ardie Savea (90) (Vice-Captain)
9.    Cortez Ratima (8)
10.  Beauden Barrett (131)
11.  Caleb Clarke (25)
12.  Jordie Barrett (65) (Vice-Captain)
13.  Rieko Ioane (77)
14.  Mark Tele’a (16)
15.  Will Jordan (37)

16. Asafo Aumua (16)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (64)
18. Pasilio Tosi (4)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (47)
20. Samipeni Finau (5)
21. Cam Roigard (6)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (80)
23. Damian McKenzie (57)

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