Fin Baxter starts for England in second All Blacks Test at 'formidable' Eden Park - 'They have pressure of expectation'
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Published 11/07/2024 at 09:55 GMT+1
England are looking to become the first team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park for 30 years on Saturday. Prop Fin Baxter is the only change to the side that lost the first Test by one point a week earlier, while the All Blacks have also made one change. "New Zealand has a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectation," said England head coach Steve Borthwick.
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Prop Fin Baxter will make his first England start in Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand at Eden Park in the only change to Steve Borthwick’s side.
Harlequins player Baxter came off the bench for his international debut to replace the injured Joe Marler in a 16-15 first Test defeat in Dunedin last Saturday.
And head coach Borthwick has now decided to draft the 22-year-old loosehead into an otherwise unchanged starting XV after Marler was ruled out with a foot injury.
The only other change to the matchday squad sees Sale prop Bevan Rodd come onto the bench.
England came agonisingly close to a famous victory in the first of the two-Test series in Dunedin as they lost by a single point.
They travel to Auckland for the second and final clash at a venue where the All Blacks haven’t lost for 30 years.
“Eden Park is a stadium packed with history and with memories of great rugby encounters, and we are delighted to be playing there on Saturday in what I anticipate will be another excellent Test,” said Borthwick.
“New Zealand has a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectation. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand manages that expectation in front of a full house.”
Veteran prop Dan Cole has been named amongst the replacements and could make history if he comes on.
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Cole’s next appearance for England will be his 115th, making him the country’s second most-capped player ever, behind Ben Youngs on 127 caps.
“I’d like to pay special tribute to Dan Cole who will become England’s second most capped men's player of all time on the weekend,” Borthwick added.
“Dan has shown nothing but dedication and determination throughout his career, and reaching this milestone is a remarkable feat. He is a superb rugby player, a wonderful role model, and we all look forward to sharing a memorable day with him on Saturday.”
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, who led the team for the first time in Dunedin, has also made one change.
Scrum-half Finlay Christie comes in for the injured TJ Perenara, with the uncapped Cortez Ratima coming onto the bench.
"We can feel New Zealand's support here in Auckland, and we will hear it at a sold-out Eden Park," said Robertson.
"It's a very special venue to the All Blacks, and we're going there on Saturday to win the series against England."
The second Test kicks off at 08:05 UK time on Saturday.
New Zealand v England second Test lineups
New Zealand: Perofeta; Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Tele'a; McKenzie, Christie; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali'i, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Tu'ungafasi, Newell, Vaa'i, Jacobson, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, B Barrett.
England: Furbank; 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.
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