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Crusaders rookie prop Tamaiti Williams, who grew up in Australia but always dreamt of being an All Black, has been called up for his debut against South Africa as one of five changes from the team that beat Argentina last week.
Brodie Retallick, Mark Telea, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Will Jordan will make their return to the side along with uncapped prop Williams, 22.
Damian McKenzie, who started at No.10 against the Pumas, is out of the 23 with Richie Mo’unga back at flyhalf.
Should Williams take the field, he will become All Black 1209. Born in Whangarei, Williams moved to Perth as an infant and played club rugby and league there. He left Australia as a 16 year old.
“I grew up playing rugby league. Union on a Saturday, and league on a Sunday,” Williams said recently, revealing hie was a fan of the NSW Blues rugby league team.
“I was straight up the middle, mate. I loved that sport, too, it was good. My dad put me in league, so I could learn how to tackle. I was a bit scared in the younger grades.”
He said he never had thoughts of playing for the Wallabies despite spending his most formative years in Australia.
“I grew up in Australia, but I still wanted to play for the All Blacks,” Williams said. “My dad said that’s what he wanted to be when he grew up, he didn’t get the chance.”
Tamaiti Williams. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Coach Ian Foster is expecting a tougher assignment this week.
“Any Test against South Africa is a special occasion,” said Foster. “There is a lot of respect between the two nations and that usually translates to an epic battle on the field.
“This will be a significant challenge and we are determined to grow after a solid start in Argentina last week. It has been four years since we last played South Africa here in New Zealand so that also makes it special.”
Jordie Barrett has been named to play his 50th Test match, lining up in the midfield at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart. The 26-year-old will notch a half-century in the same city where he made his All Blacks debut back in 2017.
Two other All Blacks are in line to achieve milestones with lock Scott Barrett named to play his 200th first class game while Caleb Clarke could make his 100th first class appearance as outside back cover.
Meanwhile the Springboks captain Eben Etzebeth is in doubt for the game due to the death of his father overnight.
An SA Rugby official told AFP that “Springbok management will leave it up to Eben whether he wants to return home immediately or lead the team on Saturday.
“Our understanding is that Eben is very emotional at the moment as he was extremely close to his father.”
Etzebeth’s father died from cancer.
The towering lock was named to lead the Boks earlier this week.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named 10 of the 14 players who travelled to New Zealand a week ago to acclimatise to the conditions and time zone in his matchday squad. There is no place for Kurt-Lee Arendse who scored a hat-trick of tries against the Wallabies on Sunday, while Damian Willemse replaces Manie Libbok who was impressive at No.10 in Pretoria and slips to the bench.
Nine of the Bok advance party will start, including locks Etzebeth and Lood de Jager and the loose trio of Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese
Malcolm Marx, who was also a member of the advance travelling contingent, will provide cover at hooker off the bench.
In the backline, wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe also receive starts, along with centre Damian de Allende, who will reunite in the Rugby World Cup winning midfield combination with Lukhanyo Am.
Fullback Willie le Roux, Am, Willemse and the front row of Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both props), and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) will all start after getting game time against the Wallabies.
Nienaber has gone for a 6-2 bench split as he favours.
All Blacks match day 23 (Test caps in brackets) * debutant
1. Ethan de Groot (14)
2. Codie Taylor (77)
3. Tyrel Lomax (24)
4. Brodie Retallick (100)
5. Scott Barrett (59)
6. Shannon Frizell (26)
7. Sam Cane (captain – 87)
8. Ardie Savea (71)
9. Aaron Smith (115)
10. Richie Mo’unga (45)
11. Mark Telea (2)
12. Jordie Barrett (49)
13. Rieko Ioane (60)
14. Will Jordan (21)
15. Beauden Barrett (113)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (21)
17. Tamaiti Williams *
18. Nepo Laulala (46)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (19)
20. Dalton Papali’i (23)
21. Finlay Christie (15)
22. Braydon Ennor (7)
23. Caleb Clarke (16)
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.