All Blacks put best foot forward

NEW ZEALAND have named virtually their strongest side – including Richie McCaw and Dan Carter — for Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.

Only prop Neemia Tialata and full-back Cory Jane, both of whom are rested, are missing from what is otherwise the All Blacks’ most formidable line-up on tour.

In total there are 13 changes to the side that defeated Italy 20-6 in Milan last Saturday with winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and lock Tom Donnelly the only survivors.

Tighthead Owen Franks make his eighth start of the year alongside experienced hooker Andrew Hore and openside prop Tony Woodcock.

Brad Thorn returns to the second-row while Kieran Read is preferred ahead of Rodney So’oialo at number eight. McCaw takes his traditional spot at openside where he will be playing his 79th Test and 42nd as captain.

Zac Guildford, who made his Test debut against Wales two weeks ago, is given the nod on the right wing with Mils Muliaina, who will become joint second most capped All Black on 81, at full-back. Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu form the centre partnership while Carter is picked at fly-half.

On the bench, hooker Corey Flynn is suffering a hamstring strain and will require a fitness test before it is decided whether Aled de Malmanche steps in.

Meanwhile Ayoola Erinle insists he is ready to lead England in a full-frontal physical assault on New Zealand after being selected to make his full Test debut.

The direct, powerful Biarritz centre was the one surprise inclusion in an England side shaped by manager Martin Johnson to try and bludgeon New Zealand into submission rather than cut them to shreds.

Shane Geraghty, a footballing inside centre, has made way for Erinle while powerhouse lock Simon Shaw and combative flanker Joe Worsley both return to the starting line-up.

The one concession England have made to their apparent iron-fist approach is to include the exciting Mathew Tait on the bench for the first time this autumn.

Johnson railed at the suggestion that his selection was “damage limitation” or defensive and he highlighted the undisputed ball-carrying abilities of Erinle, Shaw and Worsley.

But Erinle is not a distributor and his kicking game is virtually non-existent. His chief role will be to neutralise the powerful midfield threat posed by his opposite number Ma’a Nonu.