Hansen opts for Barrett
Scott Barrett starts while Sam Cane is on the bench. Coach retains rookie wingers Reece and Bridge
Scott Barrett has been named to start at blindside flanker for the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup semifinal against England in Yokohama tomorrow night.
Coach Steve Hansen has made two changes to the starting lineup which faced Ireland in last weekend’s quarterfinal.
With the injury-enforced absence of bench flanker Matt Todd (shoulder), the loose forwards combination has been tweaked, with Barrett promoted to start at No 6, which sees Ardie Savea move to openside and Sam Cane drop to the reserves. Patrick Tuipulotu comes onto the bench as lock cover. Since the last World Cup, Cane has started all but one (against Argentina in New Plymouth in 2017) of the 35 tests he has played, but, after showing good signs last weekend, Barrett’s bigger body has been preferred for what is expected to be a big physical task against the English pack.
Hansen said there was “no doubt that this is a huge game”.
“We know what we have to do and we’ve had a great week’s preparation,” he said.
“The team is exactly where we want to be, mentally and physically, ahead of the weekend. “We’re really looking forward to this opportunity. It’s all about this game and the moments it will bring. In these moments, the word pressure is bandied around quite readily.
“However, that pressure is always there whenever you play quality opposition, regardless of who you are. It’s about how you handle that in the moment and not getting distracted by the past or the future.”
TEST RECORD
The two teams have played each other 41 times, with the All Blacks winning 33 times, England seven times and the one draw.
The last result was a 16-15 win to the All Blacks at Twickenham in
November last year.
Taylor will be playing his 50th Test, Brodie Retallick will be playing his 80th, Ofa Tuungafasi and Scott Barrett their 35th and Nepo Laulala his 25th.
Read will be captaining the All Blacks for the 51st time, equalling All Blacks hooker Sean Fitzpatrick.
LINE-UP
All Blacks: 15. Beauden Barrett,
14. Sevu Reece, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 11. George Bridge, 10. Richie Mo’unga,
9. Aaron Smith, 8. Kieran Read (c),
7. Ardie Savea, 6. Scott Barrett, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Brodie Retallick,
3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody.
Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Sam Cane,
21. TJ Perenara, 22. Sonny Bill Williams, 23. Jordie Barrett.
WHITELOCK WARY OF EXTRA TIME
New Zealand will make sure they are aware of all the possibilities should the result not be achieved after 80 minutes of semi-final clash against England.
That was the word from coach Hansen and lock Sam Whitelock ahead of the do-or-die showdown in Yokohama.
If no winner had emerged after full-time and two periods of extra time, a penalty goal shootout would be required.
And given the dramatic conclusion to the Cricket World Cup involving the two countries, and a method of countback of boundaries hit in the game which was abandoned immediately after the tournament, it was no surprise the subject should be raised ahead of Saturday’s game.
Hansen said he was sure that by the time all the time periods had been played out someone would have scored because there would be so many tired players. Whitelock said he knew it would be a tough contest. The All Blacks were well into their preparation and enjoyed a good training session in the rain on Tuesday. He was excited about the week, he said. They had come down off the high of beating Ireland in a full on game to advance and they were building nicely into the week. Whitelock said the times he had played against them they had shown that they had a great forward pack and were capable of playing a couple of different styles.
“It’s something that teams that are hard to play against have a couple of different styles and they can change within a game of what style they play.
“They might play expansive or hide the ball away so we’ve just got to be ready for what they throw at us and I’m sure they’ll trying to look at our game and see any weaknesses,” he explained. Playing England in a knockout game at a World Cup would be massive and one of the biggest games the players concerned would be involved in.
“How good is being involved in a knockout game at the World Cup? You’ve got to be ready to go, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing,” added Whitelock.
“You hope that mentally and physically you’re in the best space you possibly can be.