Fijian winger Sevu Reece will once again start for the All Blacks against England at Eden Park in their second international test tomorrow. Reece, who scored a try in their 16-15 victory over England in Dunedin last weekend, has been consistently performing well for the All Blacks lately.
The only change to the starting lineup is at halfback, where Finlay Christie replaces the injured TJ Perenara. Cortez Ratima is poised to make his Test debut after being named in the match-day squad. Christie, wearing the No.9 jersey, will start for the first time since the All Blacks’ 23-20 win over Australia in Dunedin in August 2023.
Christie will play alongside an otherwise unchanged backline, spearheaded by first five-eighth Damian McKenzie and supported by fullback Stephen Perofeta. Ratima, 23, who hails from King Country and was one of five new caps for the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series, is set to become the first among them to earn a cap.
In the forwards, Samipeni Finau has been cleared to play and will start at blindside flanker, joining openside Dalton Papali’i and No.8 Ardie Savea to complete the loose trio. The rest of the pack remains unchanged.
Head Coach Scott Robertson expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness to clinch the series at Eden Park. “Finlay has worked hard and earned his start, and it will be a proud day for Cortez and his family. He’s a talented young man ready for Test rugby,” Robertson said. “We feel New Zealand’s support here in Auckland and expect to hear it at a sold-out Eden Park. It’s a special venue for the All Blacks, and we’re going there on Saturday to win the series against England.”
The All Blacks’ unbeaten record at Eden Park has stood since 1994, including 48 wins and two draws. A win at Eden Park will secure the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series Trophy, following their narrow 16-15 win in the first Test in Dunedin.
The match kicks off at 7:05 pm.
All Blacks (1-15): Ethan De Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (C), Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Mark Tele’a, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Stephen Perofeta.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett.