Finlay Christie will start at halfback for the first time as the All Blacks named a team with one debutant for Sunday’s (AEST) match against United States.
Lock Josh Lord, 20, has been named on the bench and play alongside captain Sam Whitelock or Tupou Vaa’i.
Prop Ethan de Groot wins a first Test start after two appearances off the bench this campaign, Asafo Aumua gets his second Test start of the year and Angus Ta’avao provides experience at tighthead prop.
George Bower and Tyrel Lomax are the prop reserves, with Dane Coles, making his eagerly-awaited return to the All Blacks, on the bench,
Sam Cane makes his welcome return to the national side via the bench, after missing the international season to undergo chest muscle surgery.
Selectors have gone for youth in the loose forwards with Luke Jacobson at six, Dalton Papalii at seven and Hoskins Sotutu at eight.
Christie will partner No.10 Richie Mo’unga at 10 with Quinn Tupaea come in at 12 and Braydon Ennor, in his first Test start, at centre.
Will Jordan and George Bridge are on the wings and Damian McKenzie is at fullback. The All Blacks will have huge international experience in the back reserves, with halfback TJ Perenara, flyhalf Beauden Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown.
This will be the fifth meeting between the teams, with the last Test in Chicago in 2014, and is the first Test of the All Blacks TNorthern Tour.
All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We’ve had a great week’s build-up here in Washington DC. The early part of the week was about recovering from our travel and getting clarity around some concepts in our game and we have slowly been building in intensity and getting into our work.
“The chance for us to play in a new city and new stadium is pretty special and the group is really excited and looking forward to the occasion. It’s time to get back into our groove after our break in Australia and with a number of players having not played for awhile. It’s time to get our game going again and we are ready to go.”
Speaking on the newest All Black, Foster said: “Josh Lord is a young man who’s been really enthusiastic since he came in. He’s bringing a lot of energy and learning a lot and we’re looking forward to seeing him go.”
On the players making their first Test starts, Foster added: “Ethan (de Groot) has been raring to go in recent weeks. We’re really excited for him, he’s been training well and he’s a quality player with a big future.
“Finlay has made the most of his opportunities and he just keeps growing his game and getting better and better and we’re delighted at how he’s going. Braydon has had a year disrupted by injury but he’s back. He’s running fast and we’re again looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
The All Blacks and USA will be playing for the 1874 Cup which references the year rugby was first played in the United States, a collegiate match between McGill and Harvard University.
The game will also be keenly watched in the context of the USA’s declared bid to host the 2027 or 2031 RWC tournaments. Australia has also said it will bid in 2027.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The world is hoping for a US win. How good would that unlikely result be.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well RT, Liam Squire's career, did come to an abrupt halt, due to recurring injuries, before that personal problems, which cost him a place in the last RWC squad, & who IMO, we badly needed him, back then. Look mate Cane doesn't mind the hard yards, & IMO, if he gets more head injuries, it's only a matter of time, before he says farewell, sadly.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
The pressure of the big games is the big thing. Playing in a 70-0 romp proves little. Super Rugby proves a little more but still it's not the real thing, even the Wallabies are not "the real test" anymore, sadly. I'd say England, France and RSA are the big ones and why the ABs avoid England is a mystery and perhaps a little costly. Time will tell.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I'm torn. Australian AFL Dad and NZ All Blacks Mum. Just having having a wee dig :happy:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha RT, my thoughts exactly!!!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Come on, you should know we’re a team of 5 million. We all get a say in the selections. You must be on the email list? Oh- you’re not? Bugger… well this is awkward… sorry bro. I guess we’re a team of 4,999,999 then…
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
is Foster capable enough to ‘ hone’, Papalii’s skillset into a good blind side flanker. In a word .. “nope” :unhappy:
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Folau Fakatava will be back in 2022 as well so there will be plenty of competition.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
RT, being a Blue, doesn't make Papalii an automatic selection, Bro. Like I'm a Lander supporter, & I can acknowledge, Frizell, not being there ATM. This IMO, is where Foster, somewhat like the old biased Mitchell/Deans coaching team fell down. Mate as a coach, Rennie is miles ahead of what we have. But then, I too, have a lot of time for Papalii, but ask yourself this, is Foster capable enough to ' hone', Papalii's skillset into a good blind side flanker.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree WEST. When we were at our best the EOYT we would have a friendly game basically giving fringe players a chance to impress, but knew our A team for the big games. But under Foster we have no idea who the main team is, imagine how the players feel? He seems a coach flustered after the loss to SA! Please tell me his thinking.
CoxC
Roar Rookie
:thumbdown:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
One wonders if he has a life :unhappy:
WEST
Roar Guru
Definitely a great opportunity for Christie, truth being told if the AB forward pack do their job properly, they make anyone look good
Pedro
Roar Rookie
CW Moss there are probably a few other things in life you don't get.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Muzzo, I just don’t think they should pigeon hole Papali’i as a No7. With what he has shown send him to the blindside, it’s not as though he has never played there. He’s a solid young man and could just turn out to be ‘our new Kaino’ Dalton is 6’4” 113kg, already built like a brick outhouse and he is very mobile. Like you Highlander has a keen eye and according to him, he’s a keeper. Pssst Besides, he is a Blues :silly:
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
He just might be your future AB captain, he’s had plenty of experience running through the grades :happy:
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Jacko, don’t worry, I am not sure if there is a bigger fan of Sam Cane than yours truly. I’m a real Cane fan but when he openly stated he was concerned about he concussions he has suffered (and he’s had a few); added to that he has a young family, his priority has to be his health and his family not entertaining a yobo like me! Look at what what Sean Wainui’s tragedy has left. I really feel for his wife and 2 kids and I’d be beside myself if Cane’s playing career had to end through unreconcilable injury.
WEST
Roar Guru
Well. Definitely different, Foster is certainly consistent at being inconsistent. I’m glad to see these guys get a run. They’ve earned it.. But we still haven’t established anything. I’m getting concerned with the multiple changes week in week out that no player knows where he’ll be week to week. That isn’t building a solid team, so when we have a tough test, you need solid combinations and a team that’s on the same page, it’s becoming like a barbarians vibe with the All Blacks.. mixture of individuals thrown together and hoping it works out. Not saying I don’t like the team, im sure they’ll do well. But by the time we face Ireland and France we’ll have a completely different team that hasn’t played more than two games together.
Lara
Guest
Is that before or after the pitch invasion.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Good bait! :laughing: