Christie is only All Blacks change for second England Test

English Woman's Journal - Christie is only All Blacks change for second England Test

SPORTS 11.07.2024

Christie is only All Blacks change for second England Test / Photo: Richard A. Brooks - AFP/File

Finlay Christie was named Thursday as All Blacks scrum-half for the second Test against England in Auckland on Saturday, replacing the injured TJ Perenara in the only change to New Zealand's starting XV.

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Christie, 28, came off the bench in the 16-15 win in Dunedin to replace Perenara, who had suffered a knee injury.

"Finlay has worked hard and earned his place in the starting side," All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said.

Christie will lead an unchanged backline led by fly-half Damian McKenzie and bookended by fullback Stephen Perofeta.

Uncapped Waikato Chiefs scrum-half Cortez Ratima, 23, could make his debut after being named on the bench.

"It will be a proud day for Cortez and his whanau (family),": said Robertson.

A victory at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost in 50 matches since 1994, would see New Zealand sweep the two-Test series.

England have only beaten the All Blacks twice on New Zealand soil, last tasting victory in 2003.

New Zealand (15-1)

Stephen Perofeta; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele'a; Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'i, Samipeni Finau; Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Barrett (captain); Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan De Groot.

Replacements: Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa'i, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Asafo Aumua.

Ch.McDonald--EWJ

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English Woman's Journal - Christie is only All Blacks change for second England Test