Loose forward Ardie Savea and centre Anton Lienert-Brown have returned to the All Blacks starting side for their international against Fiji in Hamilton.
Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga has been given the All Blacks No.10 shirt, with Beauden Barrett to start on the bench for the second Test against Fiji in Hamilton on Sunday.
Loose forward Ardie Savea and centre Anton Lienert-Brown have been rushed into the starting side after recovering from injuries.
Savea will start at openside flanker, with Lienert-Brown pairing with inside centre David Havili for the match at Waikato Stadium.
Lock Sam Whitelock returns to captain the side, starting alongside Scott Barrett in the second row, with Brodie Retallick dropping to the bench.
The All Blacks beat Fiji 57-23 in the first match in Dunedin last Saturday.
Fiji also will be reinforced by returning players.
Scrumhalf Frank Lomani, who is based in Australia and missed the first Test because of border restrictions, returns to the starting lineup.
Peceli Yato forces a backrow change, displacing Albert Tuisui at No. 8.
Lock Leone Nakarawa will captain the tourists in place of Levani Botia, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.
“Earlier in the week we knew we had a doubt with Levani and we spoke to Leone,” head coach Vern Cotter said.
“He has already been looking after the lineouts and now he takes on a wider leadership role, but he does that naturally with his excellent leadership skills.”
Fiji were dominant at the breakdown last weekend and that may be an area Savea can improve.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster said he was happy with the first Test effort, but acknowledged many fans were not.
“It was the second Test of the year for us last weekend and we were pretty happy with our performance,” he said.
“There were a lot of views about our performance and that’s the beauty of being in this team: people expect perfection.
“We took some really good steps up from the week before and we were satisfied. But it did highlight some areas we need to keep growing.”
NZ: Damien McKenzie, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock (capt), Scott Barrett, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Angus Ta’avao, Brodie Retallick, Shannon Frizell, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane.
Fiji: Kini Murimurivalu, Setareki Tuicuvu, Waisea Nayacalevu, Eneriko Buliruarua, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peceli Yato, Mesulame Kunavula, Johnny Dyer, Leone Nakarawa (captain), Temo Mayanavanua, Mesaki Doge, Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai. Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Leeroy Atalifo, Albert Tuisue, Kitione Kamikamica, Moses Sorovi, Teti Tela, Manasa Mataele.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I hope someone checked his bags when he left the change rooms. Good on him though, really strong debut. Getting two tries is a fantastic effort, despite how much he tried to down play it in the post match interview.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
That chase from DMac was impressive. Really strong effort. What was surprising was BB was behind the player and made no ground on him at all, but DMac covered way more ground on the angle and was able to cut him down.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I don't think he got a pass for being a Kiwi. I have tried to call people out regardless of who they support. You'll find most people don't get called out. There are plenty of feral posters who don't support the ABs who get a free pass too.
You’re definitely not an old school Kiwi type Haha what school type am I eddie? You say “Just have your say and leave it at that” yet when I do you write 3 reply’s to me telling me how wrong I am and what sort of person Im not. Think about that Eddie!!!!!!!
Yep. And he went with some very odd decisions at the 2019 WC in the end. Do you disagree? Did you praise the Boks coach for deliberately throwing a game?
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Full time and a victory to New Zealand that both the All Blacks and Fiji will be happy with. The Fijians ended up conceding the least winning margin against the All Blacks of all the times they've played NZ. 60 to 13 means a 47-point margin and well done! Seriously, because there could have been arterial blood not just flesh wounds and the message from Fiji was "we can compete at this level".of that there is no doubt. And yet, imagine what would happen if everyone in Fiji participated! (There's a reason there are UN sanctions against Fiji for its embedded discrimination). The All Blacks meantime will be celebrating the win, and the much improved defensive effort. All the areas they wanted to shore up after test #1 were shored up here. A pleasure to see it happen. And some nice debutants and development, too. What stays in memory for me is Damian McKenzie saving a try. From this viewer: thank you, to both teams.
WEST
Roar Guru
Strange no all blacks vs Fiji?? Considering the volume of NZers on this site??
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
Did you just refer to Shag’s coaching as ‘inept’? ????
moaman
Roar Guru
Half hour after fulltime, the ABs are in their ice-baths and Samisoni is still walking around clutching the trophy!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :stoked:
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
He gets away with a lot just because he is a Kiwi and a hardcore AB fan. I wondered many times why the big and vocal (and mostly very level-headed) Kiwi community on the Roar doesn't call him out more often. Giving people a pass just because one has the same favourite team is rather lazy and weak.
moaman
Roar Guru
Wow! That hymn at the end with both teams united was a lovely moment. :thumbup: :crying:
Phantom
Roar Rookie
The stats don’t make mounga 2 times world player of the year and the scorer of 36 test tries. He is a good player but no better than that. Barrett is a great player.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
The reason why is ‘its not the wallabies’.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Seen lots of live comment threads on the Roar that has not been handled by a physical person. Anyway, a much more solid AB performance in the first half compared to last week. They look more like a Test team today. Structure and physically is much better.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
No live thread, but we can make one. Try! Jordan seems to have a talent for being in the right slot.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I had only good natured conversations with him too, until I pointed out to him an out of court settlement was not a legal decision. He descended into a mindless rant, so I decided I was done. Disappointing, but I have no time for this. This was his response to me pointing out that there was no legal decision regarding Folau’s termination… “Haha Im NOT your mate. NO PROOF and More weasel words that say nothing. JUST GO AWAY WEASEL MAN!!! So there was NO DECISION eh? Weasel words… You dispute the settlement amount but dont provide any proof. Weasel words… Im not bothering with your crap anymore weasel man”
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
I was wondering where the comments thread was on The Roar for All Blacks vs Fiji. Half time score is a bit cruel; Fiji have been much better than the scoreline shows. But All Blacks supporters will be delighted because the hallmark of the top-tier All Black teams is to win from 36% possession and territory, and that is what we are seeing tonight. Every line-break seems to have a payoff. But on the first half showing, it would be unfair if the All Blacks put on their usual 60+ points against Fiji. Unless you really really want to see the All Black stiletto in action. (Confession: it's a beautifully elegant weapon to watch).
moaman
Roar Guru
Maybe nobody was available to do it>?
moaman
Roar Guru
Bower is making his presence felt. He is a solid unit! Sevu Reece is a busy player.
moaman
Roar Guru
Kia ora Paulo, I have only had good-natured disagreements with Jacko so I am sorry to hear you haven't. It's just gone HT and I am really enjoying RM guiding the team around the track. :silly: