Hoskins Sotutu will make his first start of the year when the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in their Bledisloe Cup Test in Melbourne, with coach Ian Foster naming him to replace star No.8 Ardie Savea.
New Zealand were forced to name a new-look backrow with Savea to miss Thursday night’s Test due to the birth of his child, while blindside flanker Shannon Frizell is also out through injury.
Captain Sam Cane remains at openside flanker and has been joined by Sotutu in his 11th Test, while Scott Barrett has moved from lock to six for the Marvel Stadium match.
Blues backrower Sotutu’s last Test was against Italy last November.
The shift of Barrett, who also started at blindside flanker in the All Blacks’ first Test against Ireland, means veterans Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock will team up in the second row.
The backline remains unchanged after New Zealand’s thumping 50-point win over Argentina in Hamilton.
In the only change to the reserves, Akira Ioane has been brought in as backrow cover alongside Dalton Papali’i.
The All Blacks haven’t lost the Bledisloe Cup series in 19 years, while the Rugby Championship trophy also remains up for grabs.
“We are incredibly driven to keep hold of this trophy which means so much to both countries,” Foster said in a statement.
“And when you factor in how tight this year’s Rugby Championship is, all signs point towards another great Test match here in Melbourne.”
This series also marks 90 years since the Bledisloe Cup was first presented in 1932.
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets):
1.Ethan de Groot (8)
2.Samisoni Taukei’aho (15)
3.Tyrel Lomax (18)
4.Brodie Retallick (96)
5.Samuel Whitelock (138)
6.Scott Barrett (54)
7.Sam Cane © (84)
8.Hoskins Sotutu (10)
9.Aaron Smith (109)
10.Richie Mo’unga (39)
11.Caleb Clarke (9)
12.David Havili (20)
13.Rieko Ioane (54)
14.Will Jordan (19)
15.Jordie Barrett (43)
16.Dane Coles (83)
17.George Bower (18)
18.Fletcher Newell (3)
19.Akira Ioane (17)
20.Dalton Papali’i (16)
21.Finlay Christie (10)
22.Beauden Barrett (107)
23.Quinn Tupaea (13)
WEST
Roar Guru
It’s not a great look for someone with leadership qualities. Still young, hopefully he smartens up
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Papali i is not a number 6. They tried him,Cane and Savea together in one test and it was a disaster. Need a genuine big man like Frizzel or Barrett at 6
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
No surprises really. Consistency in selection is more of a surprise really; a good one.
Tom
Guest
Let's see how sotutu goes if he can win it. Might be able to keep him their. Plenty of players capable of captaining.
MonkeyMagic
Roar Rookie
Nope, didn't say that. Perhaps you should search for Drama elsewhere. As they have always done this team tends to target certain games on the EOYT. Last year it was Ireland and France, this year English and probably Wales. There have been only injury enforced changes in these selections recently but the EOYT tour has always about trying other combinations as backups.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Why did they almost scupper it Scrum?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And they kick-off so bloody late from an NZ perspective too. Why not kick off 7pm Aus time as thats at least finishing by 11pm in NZ.
Digby
Roar Guru
No doubt mate, just wish that included building depth, at least visibly anyhow.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
I am certainly interested to see how Akira goes tomorrow night. To see if he has made any progress in his game. Maybe he is seen as a specialist finisher? If so he still needs to get his carry height and cleaning out/ruck defence right. I hope Jason has helped him make some progress in these areas. Otherwise he must be running out of chances. Still worth persevering with if he has made progress.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Yeah but he's had plenty of time to get his shit together! & They've kept him around... Timing wise it matches up though...
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Yeah, that'd work with Guzzler, Barrett and Vaii covering the locks. If they want a 4th lock, Dickson could slot in, for the tour.
SB
Guest
How nice is it to see the only changes are the most sensible options they have available? feels very strange... but I like it! I think this new selection panel has a much clearer (and better) idea of where they need to go to build a strong team... Now we just wait to see if they can start stringing wins together. Hope big Hos' has a huge game to make up for all that time holding tackle bags... would be nice to see some genuine competition for Ardie too!
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
The combo opportunities are there though Paulo.....Havili/Ennor (Saders), Tupaea/ALB (Chiefs) and RTS/Ioane (Blues). TBf, I don't think Goodhue will recover in time for next year's RWC so, I didn't consider him. What I am pleased about, is the talk for a big unit at No12, has tailed off......once again, the old argument of seeking quantity, instead of quality.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
There's a couple - Gallagher and Parry (current Blues)....Have to agree though, there are some prospects, across the engine-room (tight 5), coming through the system and particularly, in the U-20 ranks.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
I just wonder if this incident on reported in 10th June has put a dent in his confidence. “ Dalton Papalii has avoided a court charge on a “technicality” after police allegedly caught him driving at an “extremely excessive speed”. Dalton Papalii, Blues captain and All Black, was charged with exceeding 100kph. On Friday morning, Manukau District Court told Stuff the charge is no longer active. A police spokesperson confirmed Papalii was travelling on the Southern Motorway, in the early hours of Wednesday June 1, when he was stopped after allegedly travelling at an “extremely excessive speed”. “Police summoned the man to appear in the Papakura District Court on a charge of exceeding the posted speed limit. “Regrettably, police has had to withdraw the matter from the court due to a technicality,” the spokesperson said. Papalii was meant to appear at the Manukau District Court on Wednesday, however his lawyer Sam Wimsett said he requested an adjournment before the charge was then dropped.“ He would have been strongly sanctioned by All Blacks management.
Nick
Roar Rookie
He needs to work on his standing out on the sideline waiting around for the ball :stoked: :silly:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
On that Conrad/Ma’a combo, it took time, and they also had the benefit of playing together with the Canes. So their time together was immense. I’d have to check, but I’m sure they hold some records for it? Expecting a Crusader/Blues combo to work straight away is like expecting a Jedi/Sith combo to work straight away. They’re like the antithesis of each other LOL :laughing:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If they want him for the RWC, not a bad idea.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Not flash enough for Foster... let's see whether Ryan wants him for the Northern tour.
Taniwha
Guest
Disagree Tim .The Wallabies wont miss Hooper at all as our boys have always had Hoopers measure. He was/is of little significance to them. We have racked up record winning margins and record scores when Hoops was there. He never worried the Men in Black, unlike Pocock and Smith did.