Scott Barrett will replace Sam Cane in the All Blacks’ backrow to add some height and bulk in the only change to their starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England.
The versatile Barrett will start as blindside flanker as New Zealand bid to bolster the lineout against an England line-up that is strong at the set piece.
Barrett replaced Cane in a tactical change at halftime of the All Blacks’ 46-14 quarterfinal win over Ireland last weekend.
The 25-year-old Barrett will join his brother, fullback Beauden Barrett, in the starting XV with their youngest sibling Jordie on the reserves bench.
The All Blacks topped Pool B with their 23-13 win over South Africa decisive and they have been steadily building momentum as they aim for an unprecedented third consecutive title.
“The team is exactly where we want to be, mentally and physically,” coach Steve Hansen said.
“The word pressure is bandied around quite readily, however, that pressure is always there.
“It’s about how you handle that in the moment and not getting distracted by the past or the future.”
Hansen said Cane’s move to the reserves was not due to form.
“We’ve made some decisions around how we want to play and we’ve made that change because of it,” Hansen said.
Scott Barrett’s inclusion is to enhance their lineout and ball-carrying.
Hansen echoed comments made by England coach Eddie Jones last weekend about rugby now being more than about the starting side.
“The bench is so important in today’s game … we always talk about 23,” Hansen said.
“There’s still a thought process where the best players always start. That’s not always the case.
“Some guys are better finishers than starters.
“We’re fortunate we’ve got some big hitters on the bench. They’ll get a great opportunity.”
New Zealand haven’t lost a game at the Rugby World Cup since an upset defeat to France in 2007, and have won all three previous meetings against England at the sport’s marquee event.
New Zealand captain Kieran Read missed a training session earlier in the week with leg soreness but has recovered to take his place at No. 8 in a backrow featuring Ardie Savea and Scott Barrett.
New Zealand (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, T.J. Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
All good points, Moaman, but surely a man can get a little cocky banter in before a test match :laughing:
moaman
Roar Guru
All good points Piney except your last one. History really is irrelevant when it comes to team sports with different personnel. Just because England beat us in 1936 and then again in 1973 ( remember they toured for four matches...lost to all three provincial sides and then rope-a-doped the ABs in the Test!) The game last year has next to no bearing on how this one will pan out. England are much stronger but so are we. Because we are kiwis and our team are also kiwis naturally we have the edge :silly: :laughing:
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
I agree with your reasoning there, Moaman. I like that Hansen has backed a very Crusader heavy team, with 10 players starting. Hansen mentioned in one of the press conferences how experience is only good if it is a positive experience, and winning experience is what is the key to continued success. I am paraphrasing, but that was the gist of it. The Crusader 3 peat has created many players who are experienced knockout champions, and with BB, Smith, Retallick, Savea, and ALB, they add the extra needed flair and x-factor to top it off! Very strong looking bench too to create havoc. Out of the last 16 games, the ABs have won 15, and England have won one (seem to remember a virus struck ABs on that 2012 loss as well). 6.25% win ratio for England vs ABs in the last 16 games, 'nuff said :silly:
MitchO
Guest
SBW will come on and add a lot of starch in midfield defence - like he did against the Boks. He can wrestle with the Poms and stop them cracking the game open. He can also offload in attack but his muscle in D will be his biggest contribution.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I have no defence for the one day win Chivas. It must still be a sickener and your sentiments re a pounding are quite understandable! If I was to attempt a riposte, it would likely revolve around the fact that the team who had been dominant in the sport leading to the final, came out crowned winners, and that's probably how it should be. Which of course sets me up for this comp, since on that basis, there should only be one rightful and righteous champion, and it's NZ. Fascinating dual coming up, and I think it's a dual of the coaches. Both teams have the players to hurt the other, and man for man, I don't think there's much between them. Although I've yet to find a Kiwi who would replace any of their players for an English one ...to be honest, I sometimes find a few who struggle to name them, but that's another point entirely. This win will likely be more about which coaches move their pieces around the board the best. Hope it lives up to the hype!
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Neil you guys have been running it to the wire all year.. ashes, one day WC now this., I want to see the English pounded into the ground if only for the one day WC you stole out of our grasp due to a poor umpiring decision. Of course if you guys just humbly handed it over, all wouldn’t be forgiven but then I imagine most NZ fans would be happy if your rugby team walked off with their pride intact. Wish I was there, but I’ll settle for going to a bar filled with English and barracking for the AB’s from there :happy: TBH, this game has me worried. I have read some people saying ABs have a 70 percent chance of winning. No matter how much Ithink about it and look at it I think it is a lot closer than that. I totally agree with Moaman’s sentiments.. the outcome of this game is not a foregone conclusion and I very much doubt the game will be decided in the first half. The English have the strike power and game to pull back a lead, so I for one will be nervous until the final whistle I imagine after which I will be either relieved, ecstatic or sad.
Zack
Roar Rookie
Lovely gesture but then such acts of consideration were taken for granted as automatic acts without expectations of any returns. Don't remind me about being plastered that day - we had to watch the replay and highlights on Sunday to realise Greg Cornelson had scored 4 tries !! :silly: :silly: :silly:
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Haha! Yep I remember that game well, I had season tickets in number 4 stand and that particular day ‘gave up my reserved seat” to my dear wife (who is an Aussie) to sit with a dear friend, while I sat on the terrace with other mates . I ended up plastered that afternoon on the concrete terraces, but my friend who had charged to look after “my Jenny” never forgave me for the rest of his life (he since has long past on RIP- ) for that act of generosity!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Good for you, us oldies can still enjoy the game.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
I would agree with all of that DA, but I think Hansen is a little worried about the set piece. Time will tell if he's made the right call, but looking at the opposition I do think it's the right one.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I'll have to make a repeat comment as the system doesn't like me naming the England reserve hooker :laughing: First of all, Zack, you haven't got the faintest idea who was playing in 2012 or you wouldn't come out with that nonsense. Secondly, many of 'this lot' weren't playing in the 1-point loss last year. Of the 23 just named by England, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Cowan.D, Cole, Marler, Curry, Watson, Tuilagi, Heinz, and Joseph were injured or unavailable. We started with our 4th choice LH with our 6th choice on the bench. I think the ABs are clear favourites for Saturday. But, I wish Hansen shared the 90% of AB fans unshakeable belief that you've only got to turn up.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Not sure my heart could moaman, either way!
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Predictable? Yep. Stronger? Nope.' You haven't got the faintest idea who was playing in 2012, Zack, or you wouldn't come out with this nonsense. In addition, many of 'this lot' weren't playing last year against the ABs. Of the England 23 just named, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Curry, Cole, Marler, Cowan-Dickie, Tuilagi, Watson, Joseph and Heinz were either injured or unavailable. I make the ABs clear favourites for Saturday. I just wish Hansen shared 90% of AB fans unshakeable belief they've only got to turn up, though.
Zack
Roar Rookie
Predictable? Yep. Stronger? Nope. This lot couldn't put the All Blacks away last year at the end of our season, the way the 2012 version did. What makes you think they can do it on Saturday, when the All Blacks are as well-rested as the England team?
moaman
Roar Guru
Neil, I won’t mind if it’s a one pointer and I suspect you would take that too. Can’t wait!
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Zack, the England 23 named is infinitely stronger and more talented than the one that beat you in 2012. I don't want to be rude, but you seem to know next to nothing about England, English rugby, or the players. That's fine - why should you? But, you do write some very long posts pontificating on them.
Zack
Roar Rookie
Hansen would be happy with that expected pom 23 which telegraphs to Hansen the game-plan EtM will play – rinse and repeat the tactics they used against the Wallabies. He must have been tempted to put Cokanasiga on the bench for Joseph but he must be a little worried about Tuilagi lasting and Daly going AWOL in defence if the All Blacks score a couple of tries in the first 20. This is the match the poms have been clamouring for since they had that bonus-generating (for EtM) unbeaten run a couple of years back. This England 23 is not as strong or talented as the one that beat us in 2012. This could get really ugly for them…
Zack
Roar Rookie
Congratulations :thumbup: :thumbup: . My first ever attendance at a Test at Eden Park was the 1978 Greg Cornelson Test where he scored 4 tries to set up the Aussie win 30-16. Three memorable things that are still fresh today: first was how small Philip Leishman was/is: I nearly walked over him while he was fluffing around with his microphone and film crew. Second was the crowd - people were down a metre or two from the sidelines all around the park, without being hassled by any security. And of course Greg Cornelson's record-setting feat... Oh for the good old days... :laughing:
Lara
Guest
With Ford back at FH, England will kick more. Therefore, set pieces will need to be contested. Scooter skills n size does make sense . England does not look they will go wide very often, so close quarter runner would be the norm, so closing those gaps is a must. However, can’t wait for Cane to come on when things start to open up. Can’t see Eddie chancing his arm early .
pm
Roar Rookie
I'd expect Tuipulotu to make a big impact late