Barrett outflanks Cane

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 (one personnel and one positional) 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.

It’s the combination that was used in the second half of the 46-14 win over Ireland.

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.

Of Barrett’s 34 tests (16 starts), he has never started at blindside, but has come off the bench to play there plenty of times, and after showing good signs last weekend, his bigger body has been preferred for what is expected to be a big physical task against the English pack, and gives the All Blacks an extra lineout option.

Hansen said the team was in as good a shape as possible, ahead of the massive occasion.

‘‘There’s no doubt that this is a huge game and there’s a lot of excitement around it,’’ he said. ‘‘We know what we have to do and we’ve had a great week’s preparation. The team is exactly where we want to be, mentally and physically, ahead of the weekend.

‘‘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.’’

Hooker Codie Taylor will be playing his 50th test in the semifinal.