England vs New Zealand: Dan Carter misses out on squad but Sonny Bill Williams returns at Twickenham

Williams made his international rugby union comeback last week in the crushing 74-6 victory over the United States

Andrew Baldock
Thursday 06 November 2014 04:49 EST
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Sonny Bill Williams returns to Twickenham with the All Blacks
Sonny Bill Williams returns to Twickenham with the All Blacks (Getty Images)

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Dan Carter has missed out on a place in New Zealand's match-day 23 for the clash against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The superstar fly-half made his return from serious injury with a 30- minute appearance during New Zealand's 74-6 victory over the United States in Chicago last weekend.

But All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has decided to take no chances on Carter in a game of such magnitude, with Aaron Cruden wearing the number 10 shirt and Beauden Barrett providing bench cover.

Cruden, full-back Israel Dagg, centre Sonny Bill Williams and number eight Kieran Read are the only players retained on starting duty from five days ago.

New Zealand players unveil the new All Blacks strip
New Zealand players unveil the new All Blacks strip (Getty Images)

Hansen's team and replacements boast a combined total of more than 1,000 caps.

Among those who return to the starting XV are prolific try-scoring wing Julian Savea, centre Conrad Smith, lock Sam Whitelock and skipper Richie McCaw.

"This Test match is a great opportunity to once again experience the atmosphere of Twickenham and to lay down a marker of where we are currently at in relation to our opponents, England," Hansen said.

"We are extremely excited about this challenge and looking forward to it immensely.

"Having played England already three times this year, at the beginning of our season, and again having the opportunity to play them at the end of season, will tell us a lot about how much our game has progressed."

England suffered a 3-0 Test series defeat in New Zealand earlier this year, but they beat the All Blacks 38-21 at Twickenham two years ago after second-half tries from Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi secured a famous victory.

New Zealand team to face England: I Dagg; B Smith, C Smith, S B Williams, J Savea; A Cruden, A Smith; W Crockett, D Coles, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read.

Replacements: K Mealamu, B Franks, C Faumuina, P Tuiipulotu, L Messam, T J Perenara, B Barrett, R Crotty

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