New Zealand v England: George Furbank injured, Freddie Steward in for second Test

New Zealand v England second Test

Date: Saturday, 13 July Kick-off: 08:05 BST Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

England full-back George Furbank has been ruled out of Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand in Auckland, with Freddie Steward replacing him in the starting XV.

Northampton Saints’ Furbank was one of the standout performers in the narrow 16-15 defeat in Dunedin, but suffered a back spasm on Friday morning and has been declared unavailable for the final game of the two-match series at Eden Park.

Leicester full-back Steward comes in to feature for the first time since the Six Nations game with Wales in February.

“From our perspective as a team, nothing really changes,” flanker Sam Underhill told BBC Sport.

“Their styles are different but their skillsets are also very similar. They are both very good at running the ball, both very good in the air and both have good kicking games.

“As a team, we have to trust ourselves to react well to it.”

All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen said Steward is a more than capable replacement, but feels England may lose a bit of their attacking edge without Furbank.

“With Freddie Steward at the back, we understand his strengths, he’s very strong in the air, a big composed boy,” said Hansen.

“They will adjust and we possibly expect them to go in the air more. But they are all things we have acknowledged during the week. England are going to focus on what they do well and their DNA. Freddie Steward is a class full-back.”

When asked whether England will miss Furbank with the ball in hand, Hansen added: “Possibly, but there is an opportunity to step up there. What we need to do is defend well and the white jerseys in front are the key bit, not so much who is in it.”

For England’s players, Saturday is the final push at the end of a long season, but Underhill says there is belief they can finish on a high and shock the rugby world.

The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since 1994, a 30-year run covering 48 matches.

“There wouldn’t be point going out there if we didn’t have a level of confidence,” Underhill said.

“You always respect the opposition, but you can only play well and trust you get a result off the back of it.

“There is no game we go into thinking we can’t win – and I think that is true of every international team.

“It would be an amazing way to mark the tour, and a unique opportunity.”

New Zealand: Perofeta; Reece, Ioane, J Barrett, Tele’a; McKenzie, Christie; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Tuipulotu, Finau, Papali’i, Savea.

Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, B Barrett.

England: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Mitchell; Baxter, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Rodd, Cole, Coles, Curry, Spencer, F Smith, Sleightholme.