All Blacks name Billy Proctor and Simon Parker to start against England in London

Billy Proctor has been reunited with the All Blacks' No 13 jersey.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has elected to recall Proctor to start at centre for the crunch match against England in London on Sunday morning, having reshuffled his backline following the withdrawal of left wing Caleb Clarke because of the concussion he suffered during the 25- 17 win over Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend,

With Clarke unavailable. Robertson has shunted the powerful Leicester Fainga'anuku, who started at centre against Scotland, to the vacant left wing slot.

There is no room for the experienced Rieko loane in the match-day 23, with Anton Lienert Brown covering midfield in the substitutes.

Proctor. who came off the bench for a late cameo in Edinburgh but hasn't started a test since the win over the Wallabies in Auckland on September 27, has been presented with a golden opportunity.

He won't need to be reminded of what's at stake.

Having lost his place to Quinn Tupaea for Bledisloe ll against the Wallabies in Perth and the opening game of the northern tour against Ireland in Chicago, Proctor then had to watch as Fainga'anuku was promoted to fill the No 13 spot when a midfield change was required because second five-eighth Jordie Barrett was ruled out of the tour.

With Tupaea remaining at No 12, where he played last weekend, another fresh midfield combination will be required to stand tall in what is expected to be the most challenging match of the Grand Slam mission.

Fainga'anuku's defence was questionable at times in Edinburgh and Robertson will hope Proctor can be more accurate, using his knowledge of lining-up ball carriers to stall them in their tracks. at Twickenham.

Robertson has also elected to bring Simon Parker back to start at No 6 relegating Wallace Sititi to the bench; Parker's size is clearly viewed as an asset by the All Blacks, and they wil expect him to get his hands dirty in defence against the big aggressive English pack.

Lock Scott Barrett. having recovered from a deep cut to his leg, has been reinstalled as captain.

Barrett has relieved Ardie Savea of the leadership duties but it's what the former brings in terms of knowledge, power and energy that could prove decisive.

The arrival of Barrett means Josh Lord has been relegated to the reserves.

A victory for the All Blacks at the massive arena in South West London would mean the All Blacks onlv have ta beat Wales, a team that has been rudderless since the 2023 World Cup, in Cardiff the following weekend to complete the tour with a clean slate.

But first things first. England coach Steve Borthwick, having pushed back at All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after he said the home side would probably favour a kick-chase strategy, won't have forgotten how close his team went to beating the team from New Zealand last year.

England have been impressive in recent weeks, especially when they made easy work of the Wallabies earlier this month, and if they can give their fans in the 82,000-strong crowd something to shout about in the final 15 minutes the All Blacks could find themselves holding on for grim death.

Borthwick has elected for a six-two split on the bench. a clear indication he wants to use his big forwards to try and apply a tourniquet at source to prevent quality ball flowing to the All Blacks backline.

Lineout drives, pick-and-goes, and hearty defence around the breakdowns could be the order of the day. It may not be entertaining but it should be absorbing. Front rowers Ellis Genge, Will Stuart and Luke Cowan-Dickie. along with talented loose forwards Tom Curry and Henry Pollock, will be unloaded off the bench.

Enaland have not beaten the All Blacks since the World Cup semifinal in Yokohoma in 2019.

The All Blacks play England at 3.10am Sunday.

All Blacks: Will Jordan, Leroy Carter, Billy Proctor, Quinn Tupaea, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Beauden Barrett. Cameron Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett (captain), Fletcher Newell Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.

Source: stuff.co.nz