Beauden Barrett will start in 100th Test against an understrength Wales on Sunday (AEDT), gaining selection at No.10.
Wales are missing most of their usual starting team due to the game falling outside the international window.
The All Blacks have shown little mercy at the selection table going for a full strength line up.
“It’s a very special time for Beauden and his family and it’s also a special time for this team and its legacy,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
(Photo by Getty Images)
“He’s a big part of this team, he’s a key leader, he’s captained the All Blacks, he’s vice captain on this tour and he’s an influencer on and off the park. I can’t speak more highly about his contribution as a person to the black jersey. The chance to play his 100th Test at this stadium against Wales is really special.”
Foster has picked an experienced front row of props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala and hooker Codie Taylor with Brodie Retallick and Samuel Whitelock at lock.
Ethan Blackadder gets the nod at blindside flanker in his fourth Test start, Dalton Papalii is at seven, while Ardie Savea returns in the No.8 jersey.
Halfback TJ Perenara returns at No.9 to replace Finlay Christie alongside Beauden Barrett, with David Havili at 12 and centre Anton Lienert-Brown at No.13.
Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan are on the wings and Jordie Barrett is at fullback.
The back reserves are halfback Brad Weber, first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga and winger Sevu Reece.
Foster said in a statement: “It’s exciting to be back here in the North, albeit in very different circumstances. The All Blacks have always loved touring North, these Test matches are a big part of our history as a rugby team and it’s been three years since we played in Europe, so there’s a real sense of excitement. What a better place to start than at a packed-out stadium here in Cardiff.
“The Welsh will play with their traditional passion and their fans singing in the Stadium, and they’ll throw everything at us. They are Six Nations champions and a very good team. They have a group of young players coming through who’ll be excited to play so we will have to be ready, and we are.
“We have a short-term focus because the length of the tour is so unique to us. Clearly, there have been a lot of obstacles we’ve had to go through – and will go through – but I’m incredibly proud of how the team has responded to the challenges.
“But we are focussed on what each week holds and putting all our energy into that. Ultimately, we will be judged on our perfomance on Saturday and that’s what we love. We have got to be clear when we play and go out and do what we do, and we’re certainly ready to do that.
All Blacks squad to play Wales on Sunday at 3.15am AEDT
1. Joe Moody (54)
2. Codie Taylor (64)
3. Nepo Laulala (37)
4. Brodie Retallick (89)
5. Samuel Whitelock (128) – captain
6. Ethan Blackadder (7)
7. Dalton Papalii (10)
8. Ardie Savea (56)
9. TJ Perenara (76)
10. Beauden Barrett (99)
11. Rieko Ioane (44)
12. David Havili (11)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (54)
14. Will Jordan (10)
15. Jordie Barrett (32)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (7)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (23)
18. Tyrel Lomax (11)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (8)
20. Akira Ioane (10)
21. Brad Weber (14)
22. Richie Mo’unga (28)
23. Sevu Reece (14)
Tooly
Roar Rookie
ABs 50 + Wales 5 penalties 15.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Wow 100 caps for BB, what an achievement, didn’t realise he was at this milestone. Congrats to a wonderful player and Wallaby tormentor :thumbup: :laughing:
Lara
Guest
Why are you sledging the Welsh , DD ? You know they are the 6 Nations Champions……you should show them some respect.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
He is quick TLN. :laughing:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to BB starting in his 100th Test, a great achievement wishing you a good game. Great that Blackadder is starting and will relish the atmosphere, with the Welsh singing with pride. The Welsh will be up for the game and still have a strong team, they have built real depth within their squad. This game is not a given for the All Blacks and need a strong opening 20 minutes to quiet the crowd, once the Welsh crowd gets involved their team grow in confidence and performance. I have too much respect for the Welsh to write them off, Foster does also hence the team that he has selected.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Great to see NZ giving "respect" to Barrett by starting him !
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Too right KH… I am disappointed that TJ is starting, Webber should be starting with Christie on the bench to add momentum in the second half.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to this one. Always enjoy BB at 10 and will keep an eye on Lomax off the bench.
DDSmash
Guest
So true - christie was good last week - plumtree must be selecting the 9 now too.
DDSmash
Guest
How bad does TJ have to play to be dropped permanently? Alas, might as well play the second stringers (BB included) against a third rate welsh outfit.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
There is already four people that can play fullback in the starting line-up (Beauden Barrett, David Havili, Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett). That should be sufficient cover if Jordie Barrett gets injured. I personally don’t think he will be subbed unless he is having a shocker or we are up by 50. That’s probably another reason why not needing McKenzie on bench.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Imagine having the luxury of Mo’unga and Reece not being able to make the starting XV. amazing.
WEST
Roar Guru
I like Blackadder at blindside and Dalton Papalii at open side. Both deserve to be there.. I know Ardie really wants that 7 jersey. But I can see what Foster/Plumtree are trying to do. Like a three-pronged approach. I’m not sure if Ardie is playing along though
WEST
Roar Guru
Tupaea Is developing well, I’m sure he’ll get another opportunity to prove himself. Possible against Italy, he needs to really start taking action so Foster has no choice but to select him.
Soap Dodger
Roar Rookie
It kicks off at 3.15 a.m. AEST.
WEST
Roar Guru
Testing.. testing..
WEST
Roar Guru
I’m not buying it. It’s a good smokescreen though.. yes they have a number missing. But they can still field a quality team.
WEST
Roar Guru
Barrett has had great success against Wales.. it’s only fitting to give Barrett his 100th test cap start. He won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2016 and 2017, was also a nominee for the award in 2018. One of his best performances was against Wales in the Welsh test series in 2016 NZ; he was epic, scoring 26-points in a 46-6 demolition of Wales. I’m sure he’ll be excited to get into this, feeding off the atmosphere. Anyone who believes Wales aren’t going to be good enough is kidding themselves! Despite the loss of a big chunk of their key players. Wales have depth and quality and can still put on the field 729 experienced test capped team. The All Blacks have a lot of new players as well, so the difference as far as experience goes isn’t that lopsided as many believe. The ABs have around 886 test caps, a slight advantage. But… The ABs are deep inside enemy territory, Wales are in financial trouble, they need this test desperately! They’ve been written off, they’re on home turf. In front of a capacity crowd. In front of their families and friends. It’s been a long time for a capacity crowd to be allowed in! It’s going to be a great game. So, in response Foster isn’t taking any chances. Wales will be desperate and driven, they would have done their homework on how to beat the All Blacks from the RC. If the All Blacks don’t commit themselves it’s going to be a long day, especially in the set piece area. AWJ is a master in the lineouts, so TF we have Whitelock & Retallick back together. Also our front row have to muscle up! They seem to spend enough time at the gym, so time to put it to good use! I like the look of our loose combination. Blackadder, Papalii, Savea. If our tight five get stuck in A Savea should have space off the breakdown area to chew up some serious meters. The backs need good front foot ball. I’m expecting B Barrett to use the ball with everything in his arsenal, from aerial to his speed. Havili & ALB should really dominate the midfield as well. The bench needs to step it up this week, the bench actually dulled the All Blacks attack in the US, so that has to be rectified. Keen to see Lomax and Tupou Vaa’i get some!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree, Give Quinn a shot. Run Dmac as the 10/15 backup. Give Sotutu more time.
WEST
Roar Guru
Wales have depth.. No two ways about it. They’re very motivated and keen to take down the All Blacks.. All week the Welsh have been thrashing out their Welsh history with the All Blacks, the good and the bad. Example.. The day the All Blacks left JPR Williams looking 'like Frankenstein's monster' and sparked a brawl in the toilets. After an ugly rucking by AB prop John Ashworth. Wales team are fired up, so are the 75,000 Welshman that attend.