England and New Zealand are back in action again this weekend as their test series in the Southern Hemisphere continues. The first match at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin was an absolute cracker, as the All Blacks came from behind in the latter stages to squeeze home with the narrowest of 16-15 victories.
Steve Borthwick’s side will be keen on getting their own back having matched their hosts in almost every department, and the England head coach’s team selection shows that he believes his squad have the capability to topple the All Blacks.
However, the location of the second Test may prove to be New Zealand’s greatest asset as they look to build an unassailable 2-0 series lead, having not lost at Eden Park since 1994.
It looks an impossible task for England as they prepare to end 30 years of All Black dominance in Auckland, but their close-run defeat in the first Test will have the travelling fans dreaming of an unforgettable upset from Steve Borthwick’s side, to level the series and create an iconic piece of history.
The stakes couldn’t be higher with all eyes on New Zealand’s biggest city, and The Sporting News has all the TV and streaming details for you to keep tabs on the action.
New Zealand vs. England 2nd Rugby Test date, kick off time
New Zealand host England in the second Test of the visitors’ three-match series at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, July 13 2024. The game kicks off at 7:05 p.m. local time (NZST).
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| UK | Saturday, July 13 | 8:05 a.m. BST |
| USA | Saturday, July 13 | 3:05 a.m. ET |
| Australia | Saturday, July 13 | 5:05 p.m. AEST |
New Zealand vs. England live stream, TV channel
Sky Sports hold the rights to England’s summer international matches. The pay TV broadcaster will be showing the match live with build-up and post-match analysis either side of the 80 minutes, on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Streaming options in the UK are available via Sky Go pass or a NOW TV subscription, while across the pond, FloRugby is the best option for US-based Rugby fans and viewers in Australia are able to stream the match on Stan Sport.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action | Sky Go Pass, NOW TV |
| USA | — | FloRugby, FloSports app |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
New Zealand vs. England lineups, team news
The All Blacks make a solitary change to their matchday 23 and it’s an injury-enforced one, with starting scrum-half TJ Perenara ruled out of the match following an injury picked up in the first half last week. Scotland-born Finlay Christie starts in the number nine jersey, with Cortez Ratima coming onto the bench.
New Zealand starting XV: Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea.
New Zealand replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett.
While New Zealand’s single change comes behind the scrum, England’s is in the front row, after Joe Marler was forced off with injury 18 minutes into the first Test. Fin Baxter’s extended debut performance was enough to earn him a start this weekend in Auckland, with Bevan Rodd taking the loosened prop spot on the bench.
England staring XV: George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Fin Baxter, Jamie George, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.
England replacements: Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleighthome.
New Zealand vs. England 2nd Rugby Test prediction
Given the first test was settled by a single point thanks to that late penalty from the boot of Damian McKenzie, expect another close-run thing in Auckland this weekend as the two almost completely unchanged sides do battle again at Eden Park. The scoring certainly went back and forth in Dunedin, with the first half seeing 20 of the 31 points scored.
As a result, we’re predicting another end-to-end encounter in Auckland as England look to win in New Zealand for the first time in 21 years. Eden Park is the All Blacks’ fortress more than any other ground, but with the series on the line for Steve Borthwick’s side, we think England might just be able to get one over on the Kiwis this weekend, levelling the scores up at 1-1.
Prediction: England to win by 5 points or less
