England try to stay focused amid controversy

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - England’s preparations for the second test against the All Blacks on Saturday have been hampered by off-field controversy as they bid to level the series.

Four players are under investigation by New Zealand police after an allegation of a "serious nature" was made following an incident at the team hotel.

The allegation has created a media stir with New Zealand’s metropolitan newspapers devoting substantial space on their front pages on Thursday to the story.

On the field, England have made wholesale changes with five backs who started the 37-20 defeat in Auckland dropped.

All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu busted the England defence at will and flyhalf Charlie Hodgson was singled out for criticism of his defensive contribution.

Newcastle’s Toby Flood has replaced Hodgson and Jamie Noon, a stronger defensive player, comes in at inside centre in a bid to contain Nonu.

The only change to the pack is enforced with Tim Payne replacing the injured Andrew Sheridan and young loose forwards Luke Narraway, Tom Rees and James Haskell getting the opportunity to gain more experience.

SOLID EFFORT

All three were prominent in a solid England forward effort for 50 minutes of the first test and Haskell said the players could not afford to allow their preparations to .....continued below

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"We’ve got a test match against New Zealand this week. We lost the first game and I don’t think you can afford any distractions to get in your way," Haskell told reporters.

"I think as players nothing should distract us. You’re in the wrong job if you get distracted."

New Zealand have also made changes with centre Richard Kahui coming in for Conrad Smith and Rudi Wulf replacing Anthony Tuitavake on the wing.

The decision to split the Nonu-Smith centre combination has caused controversy with concerns that coach Graham Henry is continuing with the rotation policy which was heavily criticised at last year’s World Cup.

The All Blacks also had lineout problems against England they will need to rectify before the Tri-Nations and tall flanker Adam Thomson comes into the side to provide another option.

The match kicks off at 1935 (0735 GMT) on Saturday.

New Zealand: 15-Leon MacDonald, 14-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13-Richard Kahui, 12-Ma’a Nonu, 11-Rudi Wulf, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Andy Ellis, 8-Rodney So’oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Adam Thomson, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Neemia Tialata.

England: 15-Mathew Tait, 14-Topsy Ojo, 13-Mike Tindall, 12-Jamie Noon, 11-Tom Varndell, 10-Toby Flood, 9-Danny Care, 8-Luke Narraway, 7-Tom Rees, 6-James Haskell, 5-Steve Borthwick (captain), 4-Tom Palmer, 3-Matt Stevens, 2-Lee Mears, 1-Tim Payne.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)