Hansen reveals All Blacks team for England clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Hansen has revealed his All Blacks team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.
In the forwards, Karl Tu’inukuafe starts in the No.1 jersey, replacing the injured Joe Moody, alongside Codie Taylor and Owen Franks. Ofa Tuungafasi and Nepo Laulala, together with hooker Dane Coles, will provide front row support from the bench.
Locks Brodie Retallick and Samuel Whitelock are in the second row, with Liam Squire, Ardie Savea and captain Kieran Read the loose forward trio. Scott Barrett and Matt Todd are lock and loose forward cover.
In the backs, scrumhalf Aaron Smith and first flyhalf Beauden Barrett will start, with TJ Perenara and Richie Mo’unga to bring impact from the bench, Jack Goodhue returns from illness and is named at centre, inside Sonny Bill Williams, while the outside back trio is unchanged from the Tokyo Test against Australia, with Rieko Ioane in the No.11 jersey, Ben Smith in 14 and Damian McKenzie at fullback. Ryan Crotty provides extra back cover in the run-on reserves.
🛡️ HILLARY SHIELD | The Hillary Shield will be on the line for the first time since 2014 when the All Blacks take on @EnglandRugby at Twickenham this weekend.
The All Blacks are the current holders of the Hillary Shield with England last tasting success in 2012.#ENGvNZL pic.twitter.com/lPdS42EXOw
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 7, 2018
Hansen said there had been real excitement and energy in the All Blacks camp this week: “There’s huge anticipation at what lies ahead on Saturday and the team is certainly looking forward to the challenge of the weekend.
“Our week’s preparation has been very good. We’ve spent the early part of our week getting our preparation right and clarity of our roles and been building throughout the week so we’re ready to go on Saturday.
“We know we’ll be up against a very determined and well-coached English side. They’ll have gained a lot of confidence from their win over South Africa and be keen to make a statement in front of their passionate Twickenham home crowd.
“However, for us it’s about making our own statement. To do that, we’ll need to bring our own intensity and accuracy to an even higher level throughout the game. It’s a great opportunity to assess where our game is at and we’re really looking forward to it.”
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Ryan Crotty.
Date: Saturday, November 10
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT; 04.00 NZ time Sunday, November 11)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
🎥 From the selection of two play-makers to the make-up of the midfield and more, Steve Hansen provides the scoop on the All Blacks side to face @EnglandRugby for the first time in four years..
FULL TEAM ➡️ https://t.co/7t0czwxhxj #ENGvNZL 🇳🇿🏴 pic.twitter.com/iHrAZQ11K7
ADVERTISEMENT— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 8, 2018
