New Zealand head to London with the Hillary Shield in hand after winning the 2024 summer tour series 2-0 against Steve Borthwick’s men.
Scott Barrett is set to captain the All Blacks, with Ardie Savea and brother Jordie Barrett named co-vice captains for the clash against England.
Tamaiti Williams starts at loosehead prop, joined by hooker Codie Taylor and tighthead Tyrel Lomax to complete the front row. Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, and Pasilio Tosi provide front-row cover from the bench.
Captain Scott Barrett will pair up with Tupou Vaa’i at lock, with Patrick Tuipulotu ready to step up off the bench. In the loose forwards, Wallace Sititi is named at blindside flanker, Sam Cane holds his position at openside, and Ardie Savea comes in at No. 8, with Samipeni Finau set to make an impact off the bench.
During the 2024 Rugby Championship, Ardie Savea made the most carries (89) and second most tackles (84) of any player in the Championship. Meanwhile, England’s No.8 Ben Earl made the most carries (73) of any player in the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. This battle of the number 8’s will be one for the ages!
Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard will share the halfback role, with Ratima starting. Beauden Barrett takes charge at fly-half, while brother Jordie returns from injury to play inside centre. Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke will cover the wings, Rieko Ioane lines up at centre, and Will Jordan starts at fullback. Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie provide cover for the backs.
Head coach Scott Robertson said the team is gearing up for a lively atmosphere at Twickenham and a determined England team.
“While we have met England twice this year already, four months is a long time in rugby and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July.
“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.”
The Hillary Shield was introduced in 2008 to commemorate the passing of Sir Edmund Hillary, the New Zealand explorer who was one of the first men to summit Mount Everest.
It has been contested 13 times since its inception with the All Blacks winning 11 times, England once, and one draw.
In 2022, fans bore witness to an epic clash of the ages, a game which saw a last-gasp England try and an incredible England comeback, to settle the spoils and end in a 25-25 draw.
