The All Blacks celebrate a try against England. Photo / Photosport
Live updates of All Blacks v England, 1st test, 7.05pm, Saturday, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
Listen to commentary from Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
All you need to know about Scott Robertson’s first test in charge as All Blacks coach. Robertson named his team on Thursday.
England tour New Zealand for two tests, as they return here for the first time since 2014. The two teams open the series in Dunedin this Saturday before squaring off at Eden Park on July 13.
The last time the two teams clashed was at Twickenham in 2022 when England scored three late tries in the final nine minutes to force a 25-25 draw. The previous meeting before that was the 2019 semifinal when England won 19-7. The All Blacks last win over England was in 2018.
England haven’t won in New Zealand since 2003, just their second ever win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
Played 43
All Blacks won 33
England won 8
Draws 2
All Blacks:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Ardie Savea, (Vice Captain), 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Jordie Barrett, (Vice Captain) 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta.
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Beauden Barrett.
England:
1. Joe Marler (vice captain), 2. Jamie George (captain), 3. Will Stuart, 4. Maro Itoje (vice captain), 5. George Martin, 6. Chandler Cunningham-South, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl (vice captain), 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. Marcus Smith, 11. Tommy Freeman, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 13. Henry Slade (vice captain), 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 15. George Furbank.
Reserves: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Fin Baxter, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Fin Smith, 23. Ollie Sleightholme.
Scott Robertson and his coaching staff name their squad at 11.30am on Thursday.
The question may not be answered until Saturday night but TJ Perenara appears to be the likeliest option having been named at halfback.
Scott Barrett was revealed as the new All Blacks captain when the squad was announced last month, replacing Sam Cane. Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett have been named as his vice-captains.
Nika Amashukeli will referee the game. According to Rugby Database it will be his third time in charge of the All Blacks, which includes the 25-18 defeat to Argentina in 2022.
Elliott Smith - All Blacks 1-12
Liam Napier - All Blacks 1-12
Alex Powell - All Blacks 13+
Winston Aldworth - England 1-12
Jason Pine - All Blacks 1-12
Will Toogood - All Blacks 1-12
Nathan Limm - All Blacks 1-12
Elijah Fa’afiu - All Blacks 1-12
Bonnie Jansen - All Blacks 13+
Forsyth Barr Stadium features a roof so no issue for the players on Saturday but it will be around seven degrees at kickoff.
All Blacks: $1.17 Draw: $21 England: $4.60
For live commentary of All Blacks v England, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and live streaming on Sky Sport Now; an alternative commentary option from the Alternative Commentary Collective is available on iHeartRadio, Hauraki and Sky Sport 9.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
Veteran Sam Cane is given his farewell test appearance.