He may have just returned from injury, but Julian Savea will pose a big threat to England in the second Test, writes BRENTON CHELIN.
The English must be dreading the sight of him. Four tries in two starts against Stuart Lancaster's team and we begin to see why.
For his part, Lancaster has acted to nullify the threat by moving his big-hitting centre Manu Tuilagi to the right wing, but dealing with Savea has never been about a one-man effort. England will need to be at their dogged best if they are to prevent him from extending his impressive record.
Both players have put in match-winning performances for their respective sides in this fixture before. It was Tuilagi, playing in his preferred role of outside centre, who battered the Blacks in 2012, while Savea ran in two tries at Twickenham last season.
New Zealand stand just two matches away from the world record, and can close the series out with a win in Dunedin. Steve Hansen has placed his trust in the same side who stumbled past England last week, with Savea the only change to the starting line-up.
England, meanwhile, have welcomed back a number of big-name players, although Stuart Lancaster has opted to pack his bench full of possible game breakers.
Changes at scrumhalf and flyhalf sees Danny Care and Owen Farrell start, while the centre combination who fared so well in the Six Nations, get their chance against the world champions.
Up front, Tom Woods replaces James Haskell, who drops out out of the squad. Regular starters Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes will make their impact from the bench.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall: All Blacks 29, England 7, Draws 1
In New Zealand: All Blacks 11, England 2
SAVEA'S STATS THAT MATTER
2 – The number of Tests he has played against England
4 – The number of tries he has scored against England
19 – The number of Test tries he has scored (20 Tests)
All Blacks – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Victor Vito, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
England – 15 Mike Brown, 14 Manu Tuilagi, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Danny Care, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Chris Ashton.
SA Rugby mag team's SuperBru predictions
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
