New Zealand name team for Twickenham, Ethan de Groot dropped

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has unveiled the squad set to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, introducing a lineup with 12 changes from last week's game against Japan.

Beauden Barrett will start at first five-eighth, while Cortez Ratima will make his fourth start of the year, leading in the halfback position.

Prop Ethan de Groot was notably dropped from the team for failing to meet “internal standards.”

This marks the second time de Groot has faced exclusion from the squad, following a previous drop by former head coach Ian Foster in 2022 for fitness and work rate concerns.

In his place, Tamaiti Williams will continue as loosehead prop, joined by Tyrel Lomax and Codie Taylor in the front row, with bench support from Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, and Pasilio Tosi.

Captain Scott Barrett will lead from the lock position, partnering with Tupou Vaa’i as Patrick Tuipulotu provides reserve support.

The back row features Wallace Sititi at blindside, Sam Cane at openside flanker, and Ardie Savea taking on the No. 8 position. Samipeni Finau is set to make an impact from the bench.

In the backs, Ratima starts alongside Beauden Barrett at fly-half, while Jordie Barrett returns from injury at second five-eighth. Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke will cover the wings, with Rieko Ioane at center and Will Jordan at fullback.

Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie round out the impact subs for the backs. McKenzie, who started at No. 10 against England earlier this year, now shifts to a bench role.

“While we have met England twice this year already, four months is a long time in rugby and we know that both teams are different to the ones that met in New Zealand in July," said New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson.

“Twickenham is such an iconic place to play and the roar of the crowd there is like few others.

"The All Blacks have had some fierce battles there in recent years and that’s a challenge that we will step forward to, especially with the Hillary Shield at stake.”

New Zealand XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7  Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams

Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie