Brodie Retallick back for England test

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has largely reverted to the side that played against Wales for Sunday’s morning’s Test against England at Twickenham.

Lock Brodie Retallick will win his 100th cap after returning from suspension, with Scott Barrett moving to the blindside.

Retallick and Whitelock
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mark Telea starts on the wing with Jordie Barrett again at second five eighth.

Retallick was suspended after being sent off against Japan last month, missing the wins against Wales and Scotland over the last fortnight, but reprises his long-standing partnership in the second row with skipper Sam Whitelock.

The pair will scrum down together for a record 64th time, surpassing the previous mark held by South Africa’s Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.

Retallick, who will be the 12th New Zealander to get 100 caps, comes in for Scott Barrett, who moves to blindside flank in place of Akira Ioane in one of nine switches to the lineup after last weekend’s 31-23 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Rieko Ioane replaces Anton Lienert-Brown at centre and will play alongside Jordie Barrett, who comes in for David Havili.

Beauden Barrett moves to fullback where his brother Jordie played last week, allowing Richie Mo’unga to return at flyhalf with Aaron Smith back at scrumhalf for his 11th cap.

In the pack, Codie Taylor starts at hooker in place of Samisoni Taukei’aho, while Tyrel Lomax replaces Nepo Laulala at tighthead as New Zealand put out their strongest side for their last game of the year.

“We feel the squad has been building nicely throughout this tour,” said coach Ian Foster as he named the team.

“Playing England is something we don’t get to do often so we are excited for the challenge. This is an opportunity to continue our growth as a team at one of the great venues in world rugby -Twickenham,” he added.

Manu Tuilagi is back in the England team, with Jack Nowell also restored to the starting team having withdrawn shortly before last week’s win over Japan with a stomach issue.

Maro Itoje will move back to the second row as coach Eddie Jones has gone for an unfamiliar back-row of Tom Curry at seven, Sam Simmons at six and Billy Vunipola at eight.

New Zealand team:

15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Mark Telea 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, 10-Richie MoG��unga, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Ardie Savea, 7-Dalton Papali’i, 6-Scott Barrett, 5-Brodie Retallick 4-Sam Whitelock (captain), 3-Tyrel Lomax 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-George Bower, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Shannon Frizell, 20-Hoskins Sotutu, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-David Havili, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown.

England team:

15. Freddie Steward, 14. Jack Nowell, 13. Manu Tuilagi, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Jonny May, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Jack van Poortvliet, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Sam Simmonds, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements 16. Jamie George, 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Will Stuart, 19. David Ribbans, 20. Jack Willis, 21. Ben Youngs, 22. Guy Porter, 23. Henry Slade.

-Reuters