Hurricanes pair Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape have won surprise inclusions for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland, creating an All Blacks record in the process.
Coach Steve Hansen was forced into both changes following injuries to Rieko Ioane (hamstring) and inside centre Ryan Crotty (concussion) during the 38-13 hammering of Australia in Sydney.
Ioane was expected to make way for specialist winger Nehe Milner-Skudder but Hansen has restored the raw talent of 21-year-old Jordie Barrett at fullback, prompting a back three shuffle.
Ben Smith shifts to the right wing, pushing in-form Highlanders teammate Waisake Naholo, 27, to the left, creating the oldest combined wing pairing in All Blacks Test history. Smith, 32, is the oldest winger.
In contrast, the midfield is the least experienced – with eight combined caps – since Isaia Toeava and Sam Tuitupou combined against Argentina 12 years ago.
Anton Lienert-Brown is unfortunate to remain on the bench, having impressed for 68 minutes alongside rookie outside centre Jack Goodhue when replacing Crotty in Sydney.
It is a change of fortune for powerhouse ball runner Laumape, who makes his second Test start.
The first was a starring role in the 15-15 third Test draw last year against the British and Irish Lions.
He has struggled to nail down a Test berth since and missed selection in the initial Rugby Championship squad, with Hansen critical of his communication skills.
However, injuries to Sonny Bill Williams and Crotty have earned a reprieve for the former Warriors NRL back.
The only other change to Hansen’s squad is on the bench, where prop Ofa Tuungafasi returns from a rib injury to replace last week’s debutant Tim Perry.
It is the same pack which dominated the Wallabies, most glaringly in the set pieces.
Prop Owen Franks will become the ninth All Black to play 100 Tests and can mark the occasion by locking the Bledisloe Cup away for a 16th straight year.
Hansen said the Wallabies will fight desperately at an Eden Park venue that has become a graveyard for them since 1986.
“They’ll also be stinging from a stumbling second-half display in Sydney,” he said.
“We know that there’ll be a massive response from Australia following their performance last week,” Hansen said.
“Not only are we excited by this challenge, but we’re looking forward to responding ourselves with a better performance.”
All Blacks team for second Test
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Rettalick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Liam Squire, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Waisake Naholo, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Ben Smith, 15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.
Drongo
Guest
Gee, such kindness and understanding. I was not really expecting that. ?Thankyou. (Dons flak suit for incoming comments) I actually love the All Blacks. The team, the history, the Haka, it just so encapsulates what is great about this game. I have to admit that I have put $1,000 on the Wallabies. Why? The odds are very, very good. But if they lose, which is likely, hence the odds, that will give some AB supporters yet another reason to celebrate. Enjoy ?
canadiankiwi
Guest
There is no world in which ALB is more skilled (passing and handling than Goodhue). Hansen and Foster rave constantly at how Goodhue’s passing in 2 on 1s is the best on the team. Goodhue is also considered by coaches a strong defender. Goodhue is bigger and more physical than ALB also. The only area ALB has the edge on Goodhue is speed, which as Conrad Smith proved is not essential to be a great international 13.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Theres one UK site that has a good idea of a virtual pub which allows for friendly banter, no put downs etc. it worked well some years ago and every now and then a new venue (pub) is chosen to spice it up. Oddly it actually gave you the feeling you were catching up with your fellow posters in a more pub friendly atmosphere.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Yup 0500 local on Thursday before, every time
moa
Guest
@ Lara Not to mention long kicks from the back.JB has a decent boot on him.
somer
Guest
SBW is a great defender, especially form structured play. He can be out-manoeuvred in broken field play but then he's a big man and you can't have everything.
terrence
Guest
doctor knows best..
Jacko
Guest
haha...how many more sleeps is it?
Jacko
Guest
I will answer that neutral.......SBW is 1 of those guys that polarises people 1 way or the other...people either seem to love ...or hate.......personally after following him in league I was very glad when he "made" it as an AB.....He has done what was once considered impossible and done it very very well......his choices to be a boxer, a league player and a Union player etc are not common and probably gave him a reputation of being money hungry when the truth was far from that, as his 7s choice clearly showed.........I see many doing the code-hop thing in the future and we now see some from both leahue and Union doing the boxing......Aus league and Union dont seem to get on well but in NZ even Hansen is happy to say he watches and enjoys league and their isnt that anamosity......Sorry the answer was so long lol
Raumanga
Guest
This Kiwi is pretty happy with SBW, especially with his pass to Nonu in the world cup. Love his off loads and defence, dangerous player. On the red card you need to see https://m.imdb.com/title/tt8169088/ you get to see how bad he felt on the red card. Worth while series to see, gives a bit of an inside perspective on the team.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, but together.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, I agree NVFS, being a big fan of MMA too, It is unny when a 'mainstream' sport like RL or Union seem to get a free pass, but MMA is always dealing with a public perception of brutallity and injuries etc. Knocked out in MMA, minimum stand down period 90days, knocked out in Rugby, take a week off, she'll be right.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
We are just different tribes from the same clan. The game is what unites us all. We have our own specific hierarchy of allegiances within that which typical typically shape how we view and feel about things. Hence why we can see the same game, the same footage and view things completely differently. As long as we have a certain degree of thick skin, then we should be all good.
Lara
Guest
Pretty predictable. Keeping ALB on the bench is a safe bet, since they are short on midfield backs. With JB on deck, the goal kicking improves n the aerial kicks if any are covered. Solid team to do the job.
Jacko
Guest
Yes the occasion would definately be enhansed if he scored...mind you he seems pretty proud of his record of not scoring .....
Jacko
Guest
SaGE do you engage with Drongo?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I like to think we are a community of folk from disparate backgrounds who have this great game in common and are able to all get along because of it. Probably the most beautiful thing I have ever read on the Roar. We all have good days and bad days, but how I would love it if all Roar regulars were regulars at my local rugby pub in Chiang Mai (I am sure the owners of Un Irish Pub would love it too, some thirsty boys around here). If that could happen through some miracle, I am sure it would be the best rugby pub in the world.
taylorman
Roar Guru
True...hes ok when his meds are up to date... :-)
moa
Guest
@ Julz " Franks his first try" That would be great!
moa
Guest
@ Sage "Do you engage with Drongo often Moa? Yeah mate, why not? In my mind he is one of the names that can come up with some incendiary stuff but he has also been known to write things that have had me nodding in agreement from time to time! I don't lump him in with a small minority who seem hell-bent on displaying their xenophobia when it pertains to a small neighbour across the sea....those, I have trouble turning a cheek to! I like to think we are a community of folk from disparate backgrounds who have this great game in common and are able to all get along because of it.