All Blacks bring out the big guns
ALL BLACKS: HANSEN NAMES BEST SIDE FOR ENGLAND
He admits that at home they are a huge challenge.
New Zealand have signalled their attacking intent against England by naming two playmakers in a full-strength side for tomorrow’s blockbuster Test at Twickenham.
Two-time World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett and mercurial youngster Damian McKenzie will both start in London.
As expected, the run-on XV has no players from the second-string All Blacks side that beat Japan 6931 last week in Tokyo.
It more closely resembles the side that beat Australia 37-20 a week earlier in Yokohama, with Barrett again starting at flyhalf and McKenzie at fullback.
Coach Steve Hansen said either player could marshal the attack, making the world champions difficult to predict for defensivelyminded teams such as England.
“We think against sides that play a little differently than we do, having two playmakers makes it a lot harder for them to shut us down,” he told reporters.
“It also takes away the frustration of that person who is shut down when he’s out there solo. It takes that away because he’s got someone else to take a bit of the heat.”
The starting side has four changes from the side that faced Australia, one of them forced by injury this week when prop Joe Moody tore his eyelid at training, opening the way for Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Regular starters Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith return at lock and half-back respectively, replacing Scott Barrett and TJ Perenara.
Jack Goodhue returns to the centres after a bout of glandular fever, relegating Canterbury Crusaders teammate Ryan Crotty to the bench.
Hansen said the All Blacks wanted to “make a statement” at Twickenham, where they have only been beaten once since 2015.
“England at home is always a massive challenge for anyone,” he said.
“There’ll be 80,000 people there. For us it’s about making our own statement.” –