SATURDAY JULY 13TH 2024 5:05pm(UTC +10) EDEN PARK AUCKLAND NZ
A New Beginning for the All Blacks
It was a winning start to the Scott Robertson era for the All Blacks in Dunedin, but they will have to be better in Auckland.
England’s Promising Performance
It was to the players’ credit that they managed to overturn a 15-10 deficit after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed the whitewash, changing their style to pressure the opposition through set-piece and kicking, but it was certainly a tense 80 minutes.
England’s Missed Opportunity
Praise must also go to England, who confirmed that they are a team on the up under Steve Borthwick and at times showed their developing all-court game. However, it was an opportunity missed for the Red Rose and there will be a fear that their best chance of beating the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time since 2003 has gone.
Challenges Ahead for the All Blacks
New Zealand are known as slow starters and that theory will be tested this weekend; were the All Blacks rusty or does Razor Robertson have a bigger job on his hands than everyone thinks?
The Eden Park Fortress
The hosts also have the Eden Park factor in their favour. Everyone knows the fortress that they have built having not lost in Auckland for three decades.
Since 1994, their record reads 46 victories and two draws, which means England will have to do something no team has managed since France scored the ‘try from the end of the world’ to secure a 23-20 triumph 30 years ago.
England’s Resilience Tested
Logically the home side should be better this weekend while the Red Rose are ending a long season and may still be thinking about the disappointment of last Saturday, but they have proven to be a resilient bunch this year, who also have both quality and physicality.
All Blacks Confident at Eden Park
Having not lost a test at Eden Park since 1994, the All Blacks will feel confident fighting off an England side looking to build upon their impressive display in Dunedin last weekend.
Key Changes in the All Black Squad
The key change in the All Black squad is at half-back, where Finlay Christie will step in to replace TJ Perenara, who has been ruled out with a leg injury.
All Blacks Starting Line-up
Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Samipeni Finau, Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Barrett (c), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot;
Reserves. Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett.
Cortez Ratima’s Test Debut
It should be good to see how the live wire reserve halfback, who plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, handles the pressure of test rugby. Cortez Ratima is a good kid, and I think he should go ok.
England’s Line-up and Challenges
England. George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (c), Fin Baxter;
Reserves. Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleighholme.
England’s Scrum Woes
As predicted, England had their issues in the scrum last weekend and the loss of Joe Marler certainly won’t help their cause, but they have had a week on the training paddock to get it right. However, sometimes there’s not much you can do when the quality of cattle falls below the required standard and that is the concern for Borthwick heading into the second Test.
England’s Rush Defence Strategy
The rush defence added to England’s intensity around the ball and its defence had been full-on, making it challenging for the All Blacks to gain momentum.
Experienced Referee for the Second Test
Referee. Nic Berry (Australia) Ah a referee who will be much more experienced than the bloke last week. He was average at best, and test rugby should have the best officials managing the game if it is to grow.
Prediction
All Blacks for me, at home.
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