New Zealand v England - teams and prediction

PREVIEW: All Blacks will be out to secure a series sweep and extend their 30-year unbeaten streak at Eden Park when they face England on Saturday.

The All Blacks lead the two-Test series after their 16-15 win in the opening match in Dunedin last weekend.

The side holds a formidable record at Eden Park.  Described as a fortress for the All Blacks, they have remained unbeaten in 48 consecutive games at this iconic ground over the past 30 years.

It will be a difficult task for England, who suffered a narrow defeat last weekend.

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To make things more challenging, England’s fullback George Furbank withdrew from the side with a back injury.

Leicester Tigers fullback Freddie Steward will take Furbank’s place for the match at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday. England scrum coach Tom Harrison said Furbank woke up feeling unwell Friday.

“It’s massively disappointing for George, he has been brilliant in the way he has been playing and has had a great season,” Harrison told reporters.

“On a bright note, we have a lot of depth in the position, we have a world-class player in Freddie Steward coming in.”

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said swapping Furbank for Steward wouldn’t hurt England as the visitors look to end New Zealand’s 30-year unbeaten run at Eden Park.

“George Furbank challenged our line from counter-attacks, Freddie will certainly do the same. He’s potentially a little bit safer under the high ball,” Barrett told reporters.

“That’s a big strength of his game, so it’s about us trying to win those contests. Hopefully, he has a quiet night.”

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Furbank is the second England player ruled out of the Auckland Test with loosehead prop Joe Marler also sidelined by a foot injury.

His Harlequins teammate Fin Baxter, 22, will make only his second international appearance having earned his debut off the bench in Dunedin last week to replace Marler.

“He was quite impressive coming onto the park after an early introduction,” Barrett said of Baxter. “He held down the scrum and was pretty agile around the park. He’ll be excited to make his first start.”

New Zealand have made just one change to their starting team with scrumhalf Finlay Christie replacing TJ Perenara, who suffered a knee injury in the first Test.

The All Blacks last lost at Eden Park in 1994, chalking up 48 wins and two draws at the iconic Auckland stadium.

Harrison said the pressure is on the hosts to protect their unbeaten run.

However, Barrett insisted the All Blacks get a lift from running out at Eden Park, where New Zealand has twice won the  World Cup after victory in both the finals of 1987 and 2011 on home soil.

“It’s potentially a little more special. There is certainly a lot of history. The players love playing here.”

Players to watch:

For New Zealand: Finlay Christie will replace the injured TJ Perenara in the only change in the team. Scotland-born Christie, who has made 22 appearances for New Zealand, will relish starting a Test at Eden Park, home of his Super Rugby side Blues. He will play alongside All Black flyhalf Damian McKenzie, who will have to be on top form this weekend. Uncapped Chiefs scrumhalf Cortez Ratima, 23, could make his debut after being named on the bench.

For England: Rookie prop Fin Baxter – who made his Test debut off the bench last week replacing the injured Joe Marler – will don the No.1 jersey this week with Sale Sharks prop Bevan Rodd taking up a spot on the bench. England coach Steve Borthwick expressed his confidence in the youngster and feels that he can handle the occasion at Eden Park – a venue where the All Blacks haven’t lost for 30 years. Veteran tighthead Dan Cole will win his 115th cap should he come off the bench.

Prediction: 

@rugby365com: Tough one to call however New Zealand by five points

Teams:

New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta; 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a; 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Samipeni Finau; 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (captain); 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan De Groot.
Replacements: 16 Beauden Barrett, 17 Anton Lienert-Brown, 18 Cortez Ratima, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Tupou Vaa’i, 21 Fletcher Newell, 22 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 23 Asafo Aumua.

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Fin Baxter.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Ollie Sleightholme.