PREVIEW: ENGLAND vs NEW ZEALAND
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Written by: William Brown – Rugby 15
Any team dreaming of World Cup glory in 2015 needs to assess their current strength against the reigning world champions, and this is exactly the opportunity England have when they face the mighty All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday. This match is regarded by many pundits as a possible dress rehearsal for next year’s showdown.
England coach Stuart Lancaster has named a 23-man squad for the test match. He has included the uncapped 27-year-old Fijian-born, Semesi Rokoduguni. This lance-corporal in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, has qualified for England by virtue of being a serving member of the British army. The Fijian flyer is expected to start on the right wing against the current world champions. Other uncapped players in the squad are the Bath utility back, Anthony Watson, and Saracens second-rower, George Kruis.
Lancaster was quoted as saying that the Roses had a good few days’ training, and that they are looking forward to “taking on a team of the quality of New Zealand.”
The match follows on England’s three-test tour of the land of the long, white cloud a mere five months ago. They failed to win a single test match on that occasion, although they were extremely competitive in the first two matches. In the third they were beaten 36-13. With a passionate and parochial home crowd behind them, they could provide the visitors with a stern test.
Lancaster has transformed England into a team playing a more open brand of rugby. Whether this will be good enough to surprise the Kiwi’s, remains to be seen. All Blacks number eight, Kieran Reed, earlier in the week issued a warning that this style of play by the hosts may provide numerous counter attacking opportunities to the visitors.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, have named an extremely experienced team for the clash where they seek to achieve their 400th test match victory. Coach Steve Hansen has retained thirteen of the match-day 23 that faced the USA at Soldier Field last week. The main point of interest was whether legendary fly half, Dan Carter, had done enough in his thirty minutes against the Eagles to warrant selection. Hansen, though, decided not to risk the kingpin. Aaron Cruden will start for the world champions, with Beauden Barrett covering off the bench. Halfback Aaron Smith makes his 11th start of the year, while reserve hooker Kevin Mealamu will become the fifth most capped player of all time if he gets on the park in his 121st test match. He will overtake former England prop, Jason Leonard, on Saturday.
The Kiwi match day squad that takes the field on Saturday has 1029 caps between them. Hansen said, “This test match is a great opportunity to once again experience the atmosphere of Twickenham and lay down a marker of where we are currently at in relation to our opponents, England.” Meanwhile, the world champions have decided to beef up security in their Kensington hotel. This follows an incident on a previous tour where a reporter, Oliver Brown, of the Daily Telegraph, gained access to the New Zealanders’ team room.
This is a test match which will draw much interest from all and sundry in the rugby world. To make a prediction would be foolish, but if England harbours any World Cup ambitions, now will be the time to come to the party.
TEAMS:
England:
M Brown (Harlequins);
S Rokoduguni (Bath),
B Barritt (Saracens),
K Eastmond (Bath),
J May (Gloucester) ;
O Farrell (Saracens) ,
D Care (Harlequins);
J Marler (Harlequins),
D Hartley (Northampton),
D Wilson (Bath),
D Attwood (Bath),
C Lawes (Northampton),
T Wood (Northampton),
C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt),
B Vunipola (Saracens).
Reserves:
R Webber (Bath),
M Mullan (Wasps),
K Brookes (Newcastle),
G Kruis (Saracens),
B Morgan (Gloucester),
B Youngs (Leicester),
G Ford (Bath),
A Watson (Bath).
New Zealand:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (Captain)
8. Kieran Reed
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julian Savea
12. Sonny-Bill Williams
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Dagg
Reserves:
16. Kevin Mealamu
17. Ben Franks
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Charlie Tuipulotu
20. Liam Messam
21. TJ Perenara
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Ryan Crotty
Kick-off: Saturday 8 November, 14:30 (GMT) / 16:30 (CAT)
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