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The All Blacks have named a side stacked full of talent for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash of the year, with Richie Mo’unga and Beauden and Jordie Barrett all included in the starting XV.
While there was conjecture that one of the trio would miss out on a place in the run-on team, new coach Ian Foster has opted instead to play Mo’unga at flyhalf, Beauden at fullback and Jordie on the wing.
Beauden Barrett didn’t have his best Super Rugby season in his first year with the Blues, while his brother and Mo’unga were the form players of the Aotearoa competition at fullback and flyhalf respectively.
However, Beauden enjoyed a strong World Cup wearing the no.15 for the All Blacks, and the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year’s resume with the national side was evidently enough to get him into the XV.
There has, however, been a change in midfield from the centre pairing used by Steve Hansen last year. Reiko Ioane, who has been used as a winger by the All Blacks in his Test career to date, has been handed the no.13 jersey after an excellent year at outside centre for the Blues. Jack Goodhue has been shifted to inside centre, with Anton Lienert-Brown on the bench.
Lienert-Brown is joined in the reserves by three potential debutants: lock Tupou Vaa’i, loose forward Hoskins Sotutu and outside back Caleb Clarke.
Other than that trio, though, it’s an imposing All Blacks lineup with plenty of Test experience. Aaron Smith, as usual, starts at halfback, with George Bridge claiming the wing spot opposite Jordie Barrett.
In the forward pack, captain Sam Cane is joined by Shannon Frizell at blindside flanker and Ardie Savea at number eight, giving New Zealand a dynamic, powerful back row with plenty of on-ball threats.
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Ofa Tuungafasi make up an experienced front row, and Sam Whitelock and Patrick Tuipulotu are the two starting locks.
In addition to Vaa’i and Sotutu, Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Nepo Laulala make up the reserve forwards, while TJ Perenara takes his regular place on the bench as Aaron Smith’s backup.
“We really wanted to see how players adapted and fitted in and how comfortable they were coming back into the environment and so there were a number of positions that we wanted to keep an open mind about,” Foster said.
“We’re excited by the group. There’s a lot of talent in there and we’ve got players jumping out of their skin and wanting an opportunity. It’s been fantastic to come together and know at the end of the week there’s a Test match.
“There’s been a lot of hard work, but the tightness of the group and the desire and the excitement about playing an international game is right up there.”
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Ofa Tuungafasi
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. George Bridge
12. Jack Goodhue
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Jordie Barrett
15. Beauden Barrett
Bench
16. Dane Coles
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Hoskins Sotutu
21. TJ Perenara
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Caleb Clarke
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
