Dan Carter: All Blacks will outpace England

Cape Town  - All Blacks legend Dan Carter has predicted that dealing with New Zealand's fast-paced game will prove too great a task for England on Saturday. 

Eddie Jones' charges are set to host Steve Hansen's men at Twickenham this weekend. 

England head into the match off the back of a 12-11 win over South Africa, but Carter believes they will be unable to replicate that against a team which he views as an even better one than the 2015 World Cup-winning All Blacks side. 

"The rugby world has seen what the All Blacks have done since the 2015 World Cup when we had a fantastic campaign in England, but I personally feel they have got stronger," he said at a MasterCard event in Tokyo. 

"The speed that they are playing the game in the last couple of years has been a lot faster than other teams. 

"But, we don't often get the chance to come up against northern hemisphere teams a lot... so this is a great test for the All Blacks, just to see where they are at. 

"I just think the speed at which the All Blacks play the game might just be a little bit too much for England to live with them for 80 minutes." 

Beauden Barrett, the current occupant of the 10 jersey in which Carter shone for New Zealand, has been criticised for his place-kicking. However, Carter has given him a ringing endorsement. 

"I think what differentiates him from other 10s around the world is his attacking mind-set and just having, not only the skills, but more importantly the speed that he has to create these opportunities," he said of the Hurricanes star, who has 31 test tries at the tender age of 27. 

"The opposition can have all the momentum and putting all the pressure on the All Blacks, and then a moment of brilliance from a guy like Beaudy, who is fast enough to get through gaps that not many other players can, can just turn the game." 

Come Saturday, Barrett and his New Zealand team-mates will be hoping to live up to Carter's praise.

Teams:


England


TBA


New Zealand

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe

Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Richie Mo'unga, 23 Ryan Crotty