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All Blacks team: Barrett against McKenzie, Perenara and De Groot abandoned: Planet Rugby
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All Blacks team: Barrett against McKenzie, Perenara and De Groot abandoned: Planet Rugby

Scott Robertson once again opted for Beauden Barrett at flyhalf as the All Blacks boss selected his side to face England this weekend.

Damian McKenzie was chosen at the key decision-making position for the first eight games, but his mixed performances led to a change.

Barrett therefore took over for the last match of the Rugby Championship and, although McKenzie returned to 10 for the Japan clash, which suggested Robertson was turning to the Test centurion for the Twickenham encounter.

This is how the head coach proceeded as Barrett pairs the inexperienced Cortez Ratima at halfback.

Returned injured

Apart from these gaming slots, the All black people are boosted by the return from injury of Jordie Barrett and he combines again with Rieko Ioane in midfield.

The younger Barrett represents one of three changes to the backline against the Wallabies. Mark Tele’a, rewarded for his performance against Japan, and Ratima are the other two.

Tele’a starts on the right wing in place of Sevu Reece with Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan completing the back three.

Up front, there is a major change with the retirement of Ethan de Groot, with Tamaiti Williams coming into the front row alongside Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax.

Captain Scott Barrett is once again partnered by Tupou Vaa’i at lock while Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea form the free trio.

England v All Blacks: Nick Easter highlights ‘absolutely crucial’ battle at Twickenham and ‘temporary’ situation hurting Scott Robertson’s side

On the bench, Pasilio Tosi moves ahead of Fletcher Newell while Samipeni Finau is given another chance following injuries to Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali’i.

Meanwhile, Perenara are completely left out of the 23 with the fit-again Cam Roigard joining the squad to face England.

Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Anton Lienert-Brown and McKenzie complete the replacements.

“Even though we have already met England twice this year, four months is a long time in rugby and we know both teams are different to those who met in New Zealand in July,” said Robertson.

“Twickenham is such an iconic place to play and the roar of the crowd there is like few others. The All Blacks have fought hard there in recent years and it’s a challenge we will take on, especially with the Hillary Shield on the line.”

The All Blacks will face England

All black people: 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 (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Substitutes: 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
Place: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
To start up: 15:10 GMT (04:10 NZDT)
Arbitrator: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

LEARN MORE: All Blacks: Israel Dagg ‘absolutely loves’ Beauden Barrett criticism after Dan Carter also ‘written off’

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