The All Blacks have one of the injured Barrett brothers back for Saturday’s crunch showdown against England at Twickenham.
Scott Barrett has recovered from a leg injury he sustained in New Zealand’s win over Ireland in Chicago earlier this month, and has been thrust straight back into the starting lineup to lead the All Blacks into battle.
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Coach Scott Robertson has reshuffled his backline due to the injury to winger Caleb Clarke. The powerful Leicester Fainga’anuku – who impressed in the midfield against Scotland – fills the vacant left wing position, with Billy Procter recalled to start at centre.
In the pack, Robertson has also elected to bring Simon Parker back to start at No 6, relegating Wallace Sititi to the bench. Barrett’s return means Ardie Savea is relieved of the captaincy duties, while also meaning that Josh Lord has been relegated to the reserves.
For the All Blacks, a Grand Slam of the home nations is still on and victory at Twickenham on Saturday would not only end England’s nine-test winning streak, it would mean the All Blacks only have to beat Wales the following weekend to complete the tour with a clean slate.
ALL BLACKS – 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cameron Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie.
Twickenham up next
Skip is back. pic.twitter.com/6A2SHH3TQe
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 13, 2025
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
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