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)
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Maybe BB to 2nd five, or BB to 1st five and Mo’unga to 2nd five if needed? And Jordan to fullback.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Nonu had this habit of breaking the line, getting isolated, and turning over the ball. Almost nobody ever saw that coming except Conrad, who could read him and be there for the offload. Magic combo.
WEST
Roar Guru
Exactly, SRP is losing credibility fast! But I’m hearing a mixed response to URC too. Some don’t like it.. Some love it. But a short tournament between the two would be epic! 8 NH franchises vs 8 SH franchises or something like that would be fun to watch. Just to see.. The Brumbies would fit right in with that style, also the Crusaders wouldn’t be out of place in a NH competition.
WEST
Roar Guru
They were an amazing combination.. almost impossible to recreate. Conrad with his super intelligence, Nonu with the muscle :thumbup:
Locke
Roar Rookie
It’s going to be a fascinating clash, not just a classic ABs vs Boks match but there’s the NHURC vs SHSRP divide that’s quickly emerging.
Locke
Roar Rookie
I'd add Nepo to that list
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So very right moa!! As in truth it's the culture of the land & it's people, of which we all are very much part of. Why should we swear allegiance to a foreign identity that appears to be crumbling around the edges. Are we not our own people?? The mentality of some!!!
Joe King
Roar Rookie
Not sure it’s because Nonu would lift for the ABs. I reckon it’s more because he played inside Conrad. Nonu also played well for Canes along side Conrad. He was lost in teams without Conrad, generally speaking.
moaman
Roar Guru
Still plenty of work to do Muzzo and you don't have to dig very far below the surface (of the odd National voter!) to find some dodgy attitudes still lingering. The latest muck-raking is about dual-language signage ffs! I mean, how hard is it to learn a word or three of Te Reo?
moaman
Roar Guru
Not a 'fan' per se Big A although I have been an occasional admirer from time to time over the years.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Amazing coincidence Muzzo as I was in Brett Iti's class at school in primary school.( TeKuiti ) Funny story but I was selected ahead of him for Roller mills and got injured. He took my spot and went on to play for Auckland plus he played League to didnt he? Maybe even a ABs match but not a test. NO Im not claiming it should have been me lol as I didnt like training much and found women and alcohol at 16.
WEST
Roar Guru
I’m talking about Dalton Papalii
piru
Roar Rookie
Why not? NRL does it
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Granted, as I'll give him one thing, he's been massive for WA rugby, as my whanau in Perth keep telling me.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yep, not arguing that mate, just lamenting what might have been
piru
Roar Rookie
Getting a divorce means he'll have more time for Rugby, mate
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep, I had the pleasure of meeting Eric in the 90's at one of our rugby clubs receptions which was held at the old Harold Park. He was with Brett Iti one of our guests of honour. Both were playing for Auckland then.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes he speaks of his Uncle Eric Rush mentoring him and constantly re-enforcing that he was representing his people from the northern area.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No fullback has that sort of record Muzzo. Just not the position of a finisher. WJ is a finisher and he seems to find a way to score.
BBR
Roar Rookie
I refuse to believe RGS is only 117kgs. He looks like he's about 130 kgs to me.