- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
England won everywhere but on the scoreboard in the first test. Can England end the All Blacks 15-match winning streak in Dunedin and send the series to a decider in Hamilton? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEDT).
England have got their regulars back but coach Stuart Lancaster has made the bold move of picking blockbusting centre Manu Tuilagi on the wing and sticking with Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan and Rob Webber in the pack instead of Courtney Lawes, Billy Vunipola and Dylan Hartley, respectively.
First-five Owen Farrell and halfback Danny Care will steer the ship, while Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell reunite in the midfield and Tom Wood takes over from James Haskell at blindside flanker.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made minimal changes to his starting line-up despite an error-ridden performance last week.
Fullback Israel Dagg (knee) is out so Ben Smith gets to play in his best position in front of his home crowd. Dagg hasn’t scored a try in 16 Tests; Smith has scored 13 tries in 27 Tests.
Julian Savea is back from a knee injury and slots in on the left wing allowing Cory Jane to shift to his preferred spot on the right. Savea (19 tries in 20 Tests) will add some much needed thrust to an All Blacks attack that struggled to breach the English defence. England’s line speed in Auckland was especially outstanding.
The All Blacks won’t play as poorly as they did in the first Test. However England has massive improvement in them which makes this one of the most eagerly anticipated June tests in a long-time.
Expect the All Blacks to kick less and try and build phases more, involving Savea and Ben Smith.
Expect England to really pressure at scrum time.
You can also be sure the benches will have an impact. The All Blacks got great contributions from Victor Vito and Wyatt Crockett last week.
This match should provide another tight tussle!
All Blacks by 6.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.