After resting key men during two wins over Argentina, the All Blacks have named a strong team for the historic 100th Test against South Africa in Townsville on Saturday.
Beauden Barrett returns at No.10 for his 97th Test and will play alongside TJ Perenara.
David Havili returns at inside centre, Rieko Ioane at No.13 and the starting back three from last week’s Test are retained, with George Bridge on the left wing, Will Jordan on the right and Jordie Barrett at fullback. Halfback Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie and midfielder Quinn Tupaea are the back reserves.
Joe Moody retains the number one jersey while Nepo Laulala returns at No.3 and Codie Taylor returning at starting hooker. Props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi, along with hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, are front row cover from the bench.
In the second row, Brodie Retallick is back alongside Scott Barrett, with Patrick Tuipulotu the reserve lock. In the loose forwards, Akira Ioane is at blindside flanker, captain Ardie Savea is at seven and Luke Jacobson at number eight. Ethan Blackadder is the loose forward impact from the bench.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster said in a statement: “The whole team is excited at what lies ahead this weekend. The group is working hard, we have been building our performances and we’ve put ourselves in a great position to win the Fortinet Rugby Championship and that’s really exciting for the team. The fact that it is against South Africa is pretty special.
“It’s a tough pack to pick at the moment because there are a lot of players putting their hands up and there were some players who played well last week.”
“But we have got some very good combinations that we have worked on since the start of the Championship. It’s great to have experienced players like Joe Moody, Ofa Tuungafasi and Patrick Tuipulotu back. It has given us a great starting pack and a strong bench.
“For us, as a team, we’re trying to zone in on what we want to do in this game. We are all aware of the history and legacy of this match and respect that, but the only way we can do justice to that is to prepare well and focus on what we have to do.
“We’re excited and getting ready for what will be a huge challenge. It will be the first time a number of our guys have played South Africa so they’re excited and ready for it,” Foster said.
South Africa named their squad on Tuesday.
All Blacks squad
1. Joe Moody (52)
2. Codie Taylor (62)
3. Nepo Laulala (35)
4. Brodie Retallick (87)
5. Scott Barrett (46)
6. Akira Ioane (8)
7. Ardie Savea (54) – captain
8. Luke Jacobson (9)
9. TJ Perenara (73)
10. Beauden Barrett (96)
11. George Bridge (15)
12. David Havili (9)
13. Rieko Ioane (42)
14. Will Jordan (8)
15. Jordie Barrett (30)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (6)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (22)
18. Ofa Tuungafasi (40)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (39)
20. Ethan Blackadder (5)
21. Brad Weber (12)
22. Damian McKenzie (35)
23. Quinn Tupaea (3)
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Yes Pp time is certainly on his side, but he's certainly been travelling well for the Mako in the few games so far. Good hands, plenty of pace and power and consistently getting over the advantage line. I think he may very well be in the EOYT party.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Quinn, I think is a huge talent … looking forward to seeing him at this level
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No unfortunately. I still dont get why its not in Brisbane but it is what it is.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
I think all Havili needs to do is create space for Reiko , he's certainly big enough to fling into the Bok's defenders, then Havili can wait for any offloads etc, I'm an ALB fan, but I do like this combo while he's out injured, apart from silly hand signals all the time, Reiko has been one of the big AB improvers.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Fozzie has turned me around, starting to think he has a very clear path he wants this team to go down and its so far working, considering how many guys are out, hes got the next lot coming through very well. But I do think Razor has to be the next coach.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Cory Jane, one of my all time fave's...very underrated but one of the perfect guys to put into the AB's , one of Upper Hutt's finest ( coming from one of Lower Hutt's unfinest )
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
Goodhue was easily the best AB player against England in 2019. Not sure which game you watched.
Chucked
Roar Rookie
Ive been a Bridge fan for years - reminds me of a poor mans izzy Dagg or Cory Jane - this day and age you need your wingers to be fullbacks and vice versa. Reece is good - but too small
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Many will be hoping for a Bok revival and beat the ABs. Go Boks !
Tony
Roar Rookie
Great selection but still would have preferred two worker loosies in the run on side against a big Boks pack. Perhaps if Papalii is fit next week, we will see that. Have always seen Ardie as a better fit coming off the bench. Havili is a keep at 12, he is smart (no coincidence we went to the same secondary school, albeit he was 50 years later), involved and makes good decisions. Reece a bit unfortunate, but Bridge and Jordan are the best options with Reiko at 13.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Uurgh, Alzheimers moment — completely overlooked Ioane, so one wing at least is certainly covered. As for the others though, things would have to be desperate. Savea would probably be just as useful.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Now you stop it Jacko. We don't need anyone talking up the WallyB's, they can come crashing down hard when high expectations are bestowed on them Fosters picked a good team, hope you enjoy the 100th game. Are you heading to Townsville?
Faith
Roar Rookie
Ardie is great. Few can do what he can. Same with Akira. But in a knockout game at RWC you don’t get your loosie combo right you are on your way home. ABs have always payed with 8 in the loose, 6 and 7 in the muck. Ardie’s DNA is in the loose and we will win most of the games buts it’s that key game that makes you world champs or also rans that matter. I’m sure the ABs coach would take a PSDT as there’s no one like him on the grind which we just don’t have. Instead we have great attackers. Many of them. We continue to insist on 2/3 at great risk.
Blessing
Roar Rookie
You mean what Ardie couldn’t do with the great blindside flanker Scott Barrett in tow? Hmmmm. He still scored the ABs try in that game. Funny you neglect to mention what happened when they played each other at the World Cup. PSDT making 7 runs for 21 metres and 12 tackles and missing three. Ardie with 9 runs for 42 metres and 8 tackles and one missed. Ardie coming out with a win. The man has played 54 times for the ABs. They don’t just hand those out.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yeah but look at their options. Without talent best to have the one back in the whole of Aus who can take them upfield even if it’s thro brick walls …
Faith
Roar Rookie
PSDT became superman at RWC ‘19-did to the English with Vermulen what Ardie couldn’t …
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Coker QT covers 12 and 13 so RI on to the wing if one is injured. Ive seen Dmac, BB, JB and even TJ on the wing in tests so they should be ok.
Digby
Roar Guru
Would have liked to have seen Blackadder and Ioane swapped, think that provides better balance and impact but best side he could name I guess. Bring it on!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Tight Hammy...He said he had never had Hamstring injuries before so had no idea re rehab time.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
A win for you V Arg and a Kiwi win would certainly help the Wallabies with 2nd place in the RC Waxy