Rugby Test Match: New Zealanders at Twickers

21.11.2009
New Zealand v England at Twickenham

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Preview
Where does England go from last weekend's ordinary display against Argentina? Probably not a lot further according to the media this week. Martin Johnson has made a few cosmetic changes but has largely stuck with the team that played Argentina. I'm not sure that recalling 36 year old Simon Shaw is the answer to England's prayers, but the veteran did have a good series for the Lions against the South Africans in June.

Is Simon Shaw going to make a difference for England? Image thanks to www.planet-rugby.com

New Zealand has made wholesale changes to the team that struggled against Italy. Back come their test veterans and back should come that ruthless All Black machine that swept Europe last season.Although France may be more of a prize for the All Blacks next weekend, they will still want to be thorough and clinical against England. They will want to win and win well.

It's been a while since England won against New Zealand at Twickenham. England may just want to limit the damage that this All Black side could do. Saturday does not look being the day that will change.

Last Five Encounters
29.11.2008 New Zealand 32-6 at Twickenham
21.06.2008 New Zealand 44-12 in Christchurch
14.06.2008 New Zealand 37-20 in Auckland
05.11.2006 New Zealand 41-20 at Twickenham
19.11.2005 New Zealand 23-19 at Twickenham

England last defeated New Zealand, 15-13, in Wellington 2003. They drew 26-26 with the Kiwis at Twickenham in 1997, and England last defeated New Zealand at Twickenham, 15-9 in 1993.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-New Zealand 3rd, England 6th

Prediction: The Kiwis are not up to the standard of the All Black team last season. They'll still win though, by 12 points.

Teams

New Zealand
15 Mils Muliaina
14 Zachery Guildford
13 Conrad Smith
12 Ma'a Nonu
11 Sitiveni Sivivatu
10 Daniel Carter
9 James Cowan
8 Kieran Read
7 Richie McCaw (capt)
6 Adam Thomson
5 Thomas Donnelly
4 Bradley Thorn
3 Owen Franks
2 Andrew Hore
1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements
16 Aled de Malmanche
17 John Afoa
18 Anthony Boric
19 Jerome Kaino
20 Andrew Ellis
21 Stephen Donald
22 Tamati Ellison
Head Coach: Graham Henry

England
15 Mark Cueto
14 Matthew Banahan
13 Daniel Hipkiss
12 Ayoola Erinle
11 Ugo Monye
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9 Paul Hodgson
8 James Haskell
7 Lewis Moody
6 Joseph Worsley
5 Steve Borthwick, Capt.
4 Simon Shaw
3 Duncan Bell
2 Dylan Hartley
1 Timothy Payne
Replacements
16 Steven Thompson
17 Paul Doran-Jones
18 Courtney Lawes
19 Thomas Croft
20 Daniel Care
21 Andrew Goode
22 Louis Deacon
Head Coach: Martin Johnson