New Zealand vs England Preview & Prediction | 2024 Summer Internationals
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
If the first Test was anything to go by, we should be in for another high class thriller between the All Blacks and England at Eden Gardens here
START DATE/TIME: Saturday 13th July, 2024, UK – 8:05am / US ET – 3:05am / US PT – 0:05am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Action / US – the match will be streaming on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – SkyGo app / US – the match will be streaming on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
NEW ZEALAND FORM: LAWRENCE ERA GETS OFF TO WINNING START
New All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson was delighted with the narrow win last week but admitted there was still plenty of room for improvement as they head to Eden Gardens for this the second Test. Given they are 48 matches unbeaten at the venue, confidence will be high coming into this one.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
ENGLAND FORM: BORTHWICK’S MEN TAKE HEART FROM COMPETITIVE DISPLAYS
While their form record does not read that well since the World Cup with four wins and three defeats, their matches have been incredibly tight and competitive. Five of those seven matches have been decided by three points or less and they will be hoping to get a rare win at the daunting Eden Gardens.
LAST FIVE: LWLWL
NEW ZEALAND TEAM NEWS: JUST ONE CHANGE FOR ALL BLACKS
After TJ Perenara was forced off with injury last week, he misses out here and will be replaced by Finlay Christie who impressed after coming off the bench in the narrow win. Talented youngster Cortez Ratime comes into the list of replacements.
SQUAD:
15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett
ENGLAND TEAM NEWS: BAXTER MAKES FIRST START
It is just a couple of changes for England also as Harlequins prop Fin Baxter comes in for his first start in place of the injured Joe Marler who misses out. Full-back George Furbank also misses out with a back problem which is a blow given how well he played in the first Test. Freddie Steward comes in for him. Bevan Rodd enters the list of replacements in what are the only changes from the side that narrowly lost in Dunedin.
SQUAD:
Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Mitchell; Baxter, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl
REPLACEMENTS:
Dan, Rodd, Cole, Coles, Curry, Spencer, F Smith, Sleightholme
NEW ZEALAND VS ENGLAND PREDICTION
England will feel like they let slip a golden opportunity in Dunedin last weekend as they could well have won had their kicking been better. It is hard to see them getting the same opportunities for a rare win in New Zealand here, especially at the formidable Eden Gardens. With a couple of players missing and another week for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to work with his men, the hosts have to be favoured to win. Do not rule out England staying within the 12-point handicap however.
NEW ZEALAND VS ENGLAND TIP: NEW ZEALAND TO WIN
