New Zealand vs England Predictions: Tourists to keep the pressure on

England have come on a long journey the last year and will finish their season on Saturday with arguably the toughest fixture in Test rugby – against the All Blacks at Eden Park (08:05). No International side has beaten New Zealand at Eden Park since 1994, which is frankly, astonishing. That’s the challenge ahead of Steve Borthwick and this young English side – to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park for the first time in 30 years.

Read on for Alex Cox's New Zealand vs England prediction, who reckons when the bell rings for Round two in Auckland, England will come out swinging in an attempt to knock over the heavyweight of World Rugby in their back garden.

The first Test in Dunedin last week was a ferocious spectacle that ended in a 16-15 victory to New Zealand. The intensity of the game was extremely high – with England deploying their rush defence that pressured the All Blacks and fractured their continuity. The question is whether England can replicate a similar level and whether the All Blacks have a plan to counter the aggressive English defensive press.

Robertson was a relieved man to get his New Zealand tenure off to a winning start but was perhaps surprised just how close the English would come to a victory. However, the pressure is certainly on him again this week, considering the record his predecessors have at Eden Park.

The scrum was an area that the All Blacks found some dominance last week however there has been some World Rugby input this week after England question the legality of some of De Groot’s technique, so it will be a fascinating battle again up front in Auckland.

England’s growth is clear for all to see, and the performance last week unveiled plenty of positives for English fans to get excited about. Jamie George has been vocal in the media this week that his side respect the All Blacks and their Eden Park history but equally recognise that “it’s just a patch of grass with posts either end”.

They will certainly take confidence knowing they were only a point short last week and have the opportunity to do something that very few have done before if they can go a step further this weekend.

Team News

New Zealand

Scott Robertson has opted for consistency and only makes one change to his starting side due to the knee injury that Perenara sustained last week – meaning Christie starts instead. That means it will be De Groot, veteran Taylor and Lomax again as the front-row trio, who got some success at scrum-time and will be looking to assert their dominance again this week.

Scott Barrett and Tuipulotu continue in the second-row and the loose trio will be Finau, Papali'I and Savea. England arguably won the battle of the back-row in Dunedin so it will be interesting to how that contest unfolds in Auckland.

Christie comes in at scrum-half alongside McKenzie again at Fly-half. There is no question of his vision and influence when the All Blacks are on the front-foot, but England pressured him significantly last week and forced him back inside a number of times, so I expect he will vary his game with more kicks in behind that rush defence.

Jordie Barrett and Ioane continue in the midfield, with Tele'a and Reece on the wings who were untouchable at times last week. Perofeta retains his full-back spot after an impressive performance last week.

England

Steve Borthwick has also only made minimal changes to his side – but he has been forced into two alterations due to injuries to Marler and Furbank. Harlequins youngster Baxter put in a huge shift in his debut last week and this week will be asked to replicate that performance from the outset. He will combine with George and Stuart in the front-row.

Itoje and Martin will be in the second-row again after both produced fine performances in Dunedin. No change to the back-row with Cunningham-South, Underhill and Earl in the back-row. Underhill was exceptional in defense last week, playing a crucial part in that rush defense that England continue to deploy.

Mitchell and Marcus Smith retain their half-back combination and Smith will certainly be hoping for a better day off the tee after leaving points out there last week.

Lawrence and Slade continue in the midfield again, with youngsters Freeman and Feyi-Waboso on the wings again. Both have tall asks to defend their opposite numbers but certainly impressed last week.

Finally, Furbank was due to start at full-back but unfortunately picked up an injury in training meaning it will be Steward that will play instead.

New Zealand vs England Odds

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New Zealand are 1/4 favourites to win this one, while an England victory is as long as 100/30, and the draw is at 22/1.

England +10 Handicap @ 1/1

New Zealand are still finding their feet with their new coach and although possess some of the best individuals in World Rugby, they were found exposed a number of times by a cohesive, tenacious England side. Itoje disrupted line-outs, Underhill chopped every carrier and Furbank marshalled the back-field effortlessly.

Considering the gradual improvement England have shown since the Six Nations, I firmly believe that we will see England’s performance to raise again this week. Who knows, maybe the 30-year record will fall...

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