Harlequins prop Finn Baxter is in line to make his first start for England after being promoted from the bench to replace the injured Joe Marler against New Zealand on Saturday, with England needing a win to level the score between the two Test matches at a venue where the All Blacks have not lost for 30 years.
England manager Steve Borthwick named the 22-year-old Baxter and promoted Sale’s Bevan Rodd to the match-day 23rd man, keeping the same line-up that was defeated 16-15 by Dunedin last weekend. Dan Cole will again start on the bench and will overtake Jason Leonard as England’s most capped forward if he plays and wins his 115th cap.
Only Ben Youngs, with 127 caps, currently surpasses Cole and Borthwick said the Leicester tighthead fully deserves the praise.
“A special tribute would like to be paid to Dan Cole who this weekend becomes England’s second most capped men’s player in history,” Borthwick said. “Dan has shown dedication and determination throughout his career and to reach this milestone is an incredible achievement. He is a fantastic rugby player and a fantastic role model and we are all looking forward to a memorable day out with him on Saturday.”
Borthwick also said England would not be intimidated by New Zealand’s impressive record at Eden Park over the years.
“Eden Park is a stadium steeped in history and memories of great rugby matches,” Borthwick said. “New Zealand have a great record at this venue but with that comes the pressure of expectations. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand responds to those expectations in front of a full house.”
The inclusion of scrum-half Finlay Christie is the only change to the All Blacks’ starting 15. Cortes Ratima is in line to make his Test debut off the bench after TJ Perenara sustained a leg injury last weekend. It will be Christie’s first Test debut since the All Blacks’ 23-20 win over Australia in Dunedin in August 2023.
The All Blacks have gone 48 games unbeaten at Eden Park since 1994, with 46 wins and two draws. “This is a special venue for the All Blacks and we’re going there on Saturday looking to win the series against England,” New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said.
After newsletter promotion
New Zealand starting XV: Perofeta; Rees, R Ioane, J Barrett, Terea; Mackenzie, Christie; de Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (Captain), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali’i, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, B Barrett.
England starting XV: Firbank, Faye Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman, Smith, Mitchell, Baxter, George (captain), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham South, Underhill, Earl.
Substitutes: Dunn, Rod, Stuart, Coles, Currie, B Spencer, F Smith, Slateholm.
