Razor brings in some 'sharp blades' for England

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand coach Scott Robertson made wholesale changes to his team for their Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Only three players retained their places from the side that routed Japan last 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, along with props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Pasilio Tosi will provide cover.

Captain Scott Barrett will partner with Tupou Vaa’i at lock, with Patrick Tuipulotu among the replacements.

In the loose forwards, Wallace Sititi moves to blindside flank, Sam Cane remains at openside flank 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 flyhalf and brother Jordie Barrett returns from injury to play inside centre.

Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke will take the wings, while Rieko Ioane starts at outside centre and Will Jordan at fullback.

Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie will provide impact cover for the backs.

(Article continues below ….)

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 the game and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July,” Robertson said.

“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.”

New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua,  17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.

Date: Saturday, November 2
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15.10 (15.10 GMT; 04.10 NZ time, Sunday, November 3)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)