New Zealand vs England: TJ Perenara starts as All Blacks name team to play England in opening Test – MKFM 106.3FM

TJ Perenara will start at scrum-half in Scott Robertson’s first All Blacks team. He will partner fly-half Damian McKenzie for the first Test match of the series against England in Dunedin, live on Sky Sports.

Perenara succeeds Aaron Smith in the role. The experienced halfback retired from the Test rugby team after losing to South Africa in last year’s World Cup final.

Robertson has opted for Dalton Papali’i as openside flanker with former captain Sam Cane unavailable due to a back injury.

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Papali’i will start alongside number 8 Ardie Savea, with Samipeni Finau on the blindside in the team led by Scott Barrett.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu lines up alongside Barrett in the second row, while Stephen Perofeta takes up the full-back position in a three-man defence with Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece.

Playmaker Beauden Barrett starts on the bench, while Finlay Christie is the reserve scrum half in the reserves.

New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Scott Barrett (capt), 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 6 Samipeni Finau, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 8 Ardie Savea

Replacements: 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

Who plays for England?

Joe Marler and Will Stuart have been selected to start in England’s front row, with props replacing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole. These are the only changes from the team that beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo last month.

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Ollie Sleightholme

Watch the England v New Zealand match live on Saturday from 7.30am on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event (kick-off 8.05am). Stream rugby’s 2024 summer internationals and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.

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