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New Zealand host England hoping to extend their long winning run at Eden Park and secure series victory.
The All Blacks showed serious guts and grit to pip the tourists in the first Test in Dunedin, holding on by a point as both sides produced excellent defensive performances.
The hosts now return to their Auckland fortress, where they have not been beaten since 1994, to try and sweep the series. Scott Robertson makes just a single change to his side as the new All Blacks coach looks to build continuity and cohesion.
Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, suffered a major injury blow on match eve with George Furbank ruled out. The full-back has been an integral part of England’s evolution in attack and defence, though Freddie Steward’s aerial acumen may be valuable if the contest is again nip and tuck.
Follow all of the action from New Zealand vs England below:
Jamie George: England given ‘massive lift’ for All Blacks clash by Euro 2024 win
Jamie George says England have been inspired by their footballing counterparts reaching the final of Euro 2024 as they target their own famous victory against New Zealand.
England’s squad gathered in the team room of their Auckland hotel to watch Gareth Southgate’s men dispatch the Netherlands 2-1 and set-up a showdown with Spain on Sunday evening.
The two camps have been in regular contact through their head coaches and George admitted the result “created a huge buzz” that his tourists are aiming to harness when they face the All Blacks on Saturday.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 July 2024 05:15
New Zealand vs England
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the second Test between New Zealand and England in Auckland.
The All Blacks secured a narrow, nervy victory in Dunedin last week to take a 1-0 lead in this two-match series, and now return to a venue where they haven’t been beaten in 30 years.
England, then, are up against it as they bid to square affairs in Auckland, but Steve Borthwick’s side will have been encouraged by how they limited their hosts in the first Test and will be full of belief that they can pull off a famous victory.
Kick-off at Eden Park is at 8.05am BST.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2024 11:53