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Four Bledisloe 4 debutants for New Zealand as Foster makes mass changes

5th November, 2020
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5th November, 2020
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With the Bledisloe Cup safe for another year, All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made a number of changes for the final game of the series, bringing in four debutants to the side.

Akira Ioane will earn his first cap in the run-on side at blindside flanker, while fellow Test rookies Asafo Aumua, Cullen Grace and Will Jordan will all come off the bench.

“We’ve been really impressed with Akira. He’s keen, he’s ready and to have his first Test start is pretty special. I know Asafo is also excited for his first Test and he’ll bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm when he comes off the bench,” Foster said.

“Cullen Grace is a young man who has also been very impressive. He’s got a nice, quiet demeanour about him, but we know he’s excited. Will Jordan has also been working really hard; he’s settled in really, really well and he’s got a calmness about him. He’s been doing a great job behind the scenes and we’re delighted he’s got his opportunity.”

The changes haven’t stopped there though, with Richie Mo’unga out of the side and Beauden and Jordie Barrett switching to flyhalf and fullback respectively. Sevu Reece takes Jordie’s vacant wing spot, and Reiko Ioane will start out wide in the no.11 jersey in place of Caleb Clarke.

Anton Lienert-Brown is the only back who will start in the same place as in Bledisloe 3, with both Ngani Laumpe and TJ Perenara given starts at inside centre and scrumhalf respectively.

The reserve backs are also completely different to those used last weekend, with Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber joining Jordan on the pine.

In the forwards, The starting front row has just the one change, with Dane Coles dropping out of the matchday squad and Codie Taylor starting in his place, and Scott Barrett has been promoted to the second-row for Patrick Tuipulotu, who moves back to the bench.

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Ardie Savea returns to the side at number eight after missing Game 3 while on paternity leave, forcing Hoskins Sotutu out of the side.

“We’ve been really delighted with the whole squad, so we feel that there are some players who are really putting their hand up and deserve an opportunity,” Foster said.

“Secondly, it’s been a big three-week Test series to date against Australia; it’ll be another massive Test, so we’ve brought in some freshness and new energy into the group. Players are jumping out of their skins to get onto the park.”

All Blacks team for Bledisloe 4

1. Karl Tu’inukuafe
2. Codie Taylor
3. Ofa Tuungafasi
4. Scott Barrett
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Akira Ioane
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Ngani Laumape
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Sevu Reece
15. Jordie Barrett

Bench
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Alex Hodgman
18. Tyrel Lomax
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Cullen Grace
21. Brad Weber
22. Damian McKenzie
23. Will Jordan

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