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All Blacks coach Ian Foster has rung the changes for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test, making 12 changes and offering three debuts.
There isn’t a Barrett in sight on New Zealand’s teamsheet with Scott, Jordie and Beauden all spared the Dunedin clash as Foster keeps an eye on the Rugby World Cup beginning next month.
Only Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan have kept their place from last week’s 38-7 win over Australia at the MCG.
Captain Sam Cane returns while flanker Samipeni Finau and wing Shaun Stevenson will earn their first caps from kick-off, with Dallas McLeod to join them when he runs on from the bench.
Sam Cane has returned to the All Blacks’ side after missing Bledisloe I. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Fletcher Newell and Leicester Fainga’anuku will play their first Tests of the season after overcoming injuries on the road to France.
After a terrific club season but poor All Blacks showing against Argentina, Damian McKenzie has been offered the chance to start at flyhalf.
No trophies are on the line at Forsyth Barr Stadium with New Zealand pocketing both the Bledisloe Cup and the Rugby Championship last weekend.
But with so many changes the Wallabies may eye snapping their 22-year, 28-match streak without a win in New Zealand over their greatest rival.
Shaun Stevenson has been named on the right-wing by Ian Foster. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Foster insisted the Test was still “special” as it offered New Zealand the chance for a perfect season, and the chance to shape his World Cup thoughts.
“It is our last chance to play in front of our fans and, even with some changes, it is a big opportunity for us to take another step forward as a team,” he said.
“We can’t wait.”
The mass changes are in stark contrast to the Wallabies, who have made just three changes to the starting side as Eddie Jones’ team hunt their first victory of the year.
Jones batted away any notion of the idea that the All Blacks had “disrespected” the Wallabies.
“No, no, I’ve got enough to worry about, mate, without worrying about New Zealand selection,” Jones told reporters.
“Whilst everyone is treating this game with the utmost respect, everyone also has the World Cup at the back of their minds and The Rugby Championship’s been a fantastic tournament.
“We’ve trained as hard as we can for this game. But at the same time, there’s a World Cup over there that we’ve got to plan to and I’m sure Ian and his coaching staff is the same, so I wouldn’t see that as a sign of disrespect at all.”
Eddie Jones (L) has rejected any validity in the notion the All Blacks have disrespected the Wallabies. (Photo credit: Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU Media)
The Test, which might have been at Eden Park if not for the Auckland venue’s FIFA Women’s World Cup duties, will also give Kiwi fans a chance to bid farewell to a number of All Blacks greats.
Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick have signed deals to play in Japanese club rugby next year, rendering them unavailable for All Blacks selection, while Samuel Whitelock is set to play in France and Dane Coles is retiring.
New Zealand (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Anton Lienert-Brown, Braydon Ennor, Shaun Stevenson, Will Jordan.
Res: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
AAP
© AAP
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