All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has named Richie Mo’unga to start at No.10 and made a change at flanker with Shannon Frizell replacing Akira Ioane at No.6 for the second Test against South Africa
Uncapped tighthead prop Fletcher Newell has been named on the bench as front row cover, while props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have been named in the run-on side.
The All Blacks props have 20 Test caps between them.
They are joined by hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, while 69-Test veteran Codie Taylor returns to the match-day 23.
Blindside flanker Frizell will move from the bench to the starting team alongside No.8 Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane who will surpass Jerome Kaino (81) as the third-most capped All Black loose forward in Tests.
The only change made to the backline is at No.10 with Mo’unga getting his first start of the season and Beauden Barrett on the bench despite his heavy fall in the first up loss.
“Belief and confidence remain high in our group, which is working incredibly hard this week,” said Foster. “Playing at Ellis Park is always a special occasion for any All Black team, and this weekend will be no different.”
This could well be Foster’s last selection as head coach if the team lose, though even victory may not be enough to keep him in the post after the side lost five of their previous six Tests and the tide of public opinion is very much against Foster back home.
Fullback Jordie Barrett and wing Will Jordan had been doubts for the game but have been passed fit and will make up a back three with Caleb Clarke.
David Havili and Rieko Ioane continue their partnership in the centres, with Aaron Smith at scrumhalf alongside Mo’unga.
All Blacks squad (Test caps in brackets):
1.Ethan de Groot (5)
2.Samisoni Taukei’aho (12)
3.Tyrel Lomax (15)
4.Sam Whitelock (135)
5.Scott Barrett (51)
6.Shannon Frizell (18)
7.Sam Cane (81)
8.Ardie Savea (63)
9.Aaron Smith (106)
10.Richie Mo’unga (36)
11.Caleb Clarke (6)
12.David Havili (17)
13.Rieko Ioane (51)
14.Will Jordan (16)
15.Jordie Barrett (40)
16.Codie Taylor (69)
17.George Bower (15)
18.Fletcher Newell * New Cap
19.Tupou Vaa’i (13)
20.Akira Ioane (15)
21.Finlay Christie (7)
22.Beauden Barrett (105)
23.Quinn Tupaea (10)
Guess
Roar Rookie
They did it. Congrats :thumbup:
FunBus
Roar Rookie
No you don’t, Jacko. You know they haven’t won one before. A month ago you ‘knew’ Ireland would never win a series in NZ.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
That’s why I don’t understand the criticism of Cane. All our forwards lack impact at the breakdown. That’s due to two things, lack of technique or lack of gameplay to target the breakdown. Can hardly blame one player when it’s a (poor) team strategy.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
I read it & took my own notes on the game. Sam Cane is doing ⅓ more work than his team mates…instead of taking someone else’s word, have a look yourself.
WEST
Roar Guru
Think that’s how a lot of these teams bar France on occasions operate. Very structured and systematic.. just need to break up their systems, there’s a few ways of doing it. Just need the right key to unlock the door.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
That's quite OK. I didn't take it as necessarily antagonistic. If I had an objection to it it would be the whataboutism aspect to it. Not a fan of that and didn't seem necessary.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Nobody hurt? You might find the long standing girlfriend he very publicly cheated on had a very different view. As might his partner in the toilet escapade who was vilified and attacked by the same rugby community that wrapped their arms around Aaron. And his error of judgement was compounded by subsequently lying about the escapade to the NZRU as revealed by his eventually published texts. I find them quite similar incidents. An attack does not always have to be physical.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Cullen Grace is not in the squad, is back in NZ
Guess
Roar Rookie
And with more urgency like you say. They need to create chaos. NZ is thriving in unstructured play while Sa relies on predictability. Easier said than done ofc
WEST
Roar Guru
Just have to play accordingly. In other words smarter, find our inner McCaw.
Guess
Roar Rookie
I remember Scott Barrett was late to the breakdown but he was lucky Sa player went off feet. The ref gave a penalty. But next time Barrett was slow again and there was a turnover. So yeah can't always blame a ref.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Who else?
Guess
Roar Rookie
Was a bad pass
Guess
Roar Rookie
Backs will bottle it anyway :silly:
WEST
Roar Guru
Pieter-Steph du Toit Siya Kolisi Duane Vermeulen.. Geezas, who do we have that can handle these guys? That’s the reality. At best we can just hope to find parity, but we certainly don’t have the players to dominate these guys. Not saying that we couldn’t be competitive if we had smarter tactics to combat these players. But unfortunately.. We seem to regurgitate the same rubbish, no real shape on attack or defence? Anyway.. we’ve all seen how it is. Best hope is the players work collectively despite Fosters influence
wigeye
Guest
im frustrated tim
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Your comment around support, West, is something that has been glaringly absent. The Springboks by comparison were awesome in that regard, repeatedly bumping off Cane even before the cleaners arrived. On the few times he actually got his hand on the ball he was often lone, and easily cleaned out by Estebeth and de Jager. Add in the Springboks gamesmanship in this area , and they really excel at it, and Marx's brilliance over the ball and it just wasn't a contest. van de Flier and Mahony also excelled and this should have ben sorted before the All Blacks boarded the plane for the Republic. You could comment on the Referees' leniency around sealing, entry and just flopping, but when the All Blacks aren't even in the contest, having started slowly, being turned over, and playing in their own half, what's the point... Sigh...
Jacko
Roar Rookie
He lost us the Lions series? Gees people just have to hate dont they.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Well we know Ireland wont win a WC 1/4 final FB.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Cant say I remember it happening but it wont happen this year thats for sure.