Fijian flyer 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 a consistent performer for the All Blacks in recent times.
The only change to the starting fifteen sees halfback Finlay Christie earning a spot, while Cortez Ratima is set for his Test debut after being named in the match-day 23.
Christie takes the No.9 jersey after substituting in during the first Test win in Dunedin, replacing TJ Perenara, who has been ruled out of the second Test with a leg injury.
This will be Christie’s first Test start since the All Blacks’ 23-20 win over Australia in Dunedin in August 2023.
Christie will be part of an otherwise unchanged backline led by first-five Damian McKenzie and supported by fullback Stephen Perofeta.
King Country-born Ratima, 23, who was one of five new caps in the All Blacks squad for the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series, is set to become the first of those players to be capped.
In the forwards, Samipeni Finau has been cleared to play and will start at blindside flanker, with openside Dalton Papali’i and No.8 Ardie Savea completing the loose trio in an otherwise unchanged pack.
Head Coach Scott Robertson expressed confidence in the squad, noting that they were prepared and ready to win the series at Eden Park.
“Finlay has worked hard and earned his place in the starting side, and it will be a proud day for Cortez and his whānau. He’s a talented young man who is ready for Test footy,” Robertson said. “We can feel New Zealand’s support here in Auckland and we will hear it at a sold-out Eden Park. It’s a very special venue to the All Blacks, and we’re going there on Saturday to win the series against England.”
The All Blacks’ winning record at Eden Park extends back to 1994 and includes 48 wins and two draws since.
Having secured the Hillary Shield in Dunedin with a 16-15 win, the All Blacks can clinch the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series Trophy with a victory at Eden Park.
The match kicks off at 7.05pm.
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, Damien 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.