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
Isikeli Tuituku
Roar Rookie
Fozzie last test match in NZ if he lose he won't lose sleep over it. The NZ public thinks he's the worst coach ever though this not true at all. He cannot win the world cup anyway not because of the team but France and Ireland are just better prepared.
Guess
Roar Rookie
so I wouldn’t see that as a sign of disrespect at all So 3 losses did sink in, he changed the tune :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
JN If Eddie is feeling the pressure its all because of his disrespectful claims around winning the RC, the Bledisloe and the WC. His comments around being disrespected by SA for taking 12 players to NZ before playing Aus in SA and its for his derogatory comments around the NZ economy and that "all NZers think they are better than us" comment as well. Add that to the fact that when he is proven a loser he then attacks the reporter. I dont care if some SA players from 2007 like him. Thats up to them. Perhaps he wasnt so loose then. Perhaps he was only an assistant so its easier to be everyones friend.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Definitely a NZ B team. Still a very good one. Wallabies might do an "Italy" on them - but unlikely.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Indeed.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I think that is not unusual Paulo.. A typical Test match in South Africa a whole bunch of fans pretty ignorant around the game but go for the experience... But especially the Laws ..Hard enough to follow them anyway even as an avid Rugby supporter .. The casual fan has no chance ..
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Mm , I think its also a case of Eddie feeling the pressure Jacko..How can he not ..Wouldn't be human ...Has himself a bit to blame tho .. He more than anyone else drove expectations ..But look here in SA Eddie of course is very well liked ..He is credited and probably correctly so with having a huge hand in us winning 2007 World Cup. His popularity boosted by the likes of Smit , Matfield , Bakkies , Habana etc who never pass an opportunity to talk him up . Also his old school approach to players almost certainly acceptable culturally particularly with the Afrikaners ..Probably a lot more than the current generation of say Australian players would ..
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
I don’t get it either. Nothing wrong with the distance Jordan gets. McKenzie kicks well. The midfield tomorrow are not known for their kicking. Unlike Jordie Barrett. So that is a reduction I guess.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I don’t get the kicking criticism? SS and Jordan both kick pretty well and far? We almost never have a strong set of 3 kickers, typically one is there for power - think CC or Leicester. Talea isn’t particularly known for his kicking either?
Faith
Roar Rookie
Blackadder and Havili, yes. Moody, nope. He's an incumbent and had never done anything wrong. At least I hope. Ofa/Nepo make it to France and I'll rest my faith that Ryan knows what he's doing.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Astute comments, Don.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Maybe against Boks at Twickers
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Actually yea, the Narawa injury makes sense now.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
The response Eddie gave to the Journalist yesterday was embarrassing for a National coach. Anger and insults arnt needed. I wish people knew Eddie from his success not his mouth. Eddie is a very difficult man to respect.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I noticed 83 000 fans in attendance on Saturday at the MCG . They sell out the MCG with or without Eddie JN. I think the ABs have played there 4 times and this was smallest crowd so nothing to do with Eddie. Horrible game to watch rugby at tho. Its not the best experience Ive had as a spectator but I didnt exactely have expensive seats. The simple thing is that Eddie can promote rugby very well without the "Angry Poodle" approach and pretend "Angry Eddie" sours very quickly. Do you genuinely believe insults are the way to get rugby some good PR? RA NEEDS to stop craving the sugar hit and sort the actual problems it has.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And thats not what we need here in Aus from the sporting media.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah it had his name on it first up but Id say it was an error from Bretts Neighbours article being posted at the same time.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep Id have Smith, Weber and Roigard. Christy aint a bad player but as the 3rd option Roigard offers something different.
nroko
Roar Rookie
They seemed to be happy with SS in training, kept him on. There was always atleast 1 winger unavailable during the whole TRC campaign, Talea and LF early on. Then Narawa picked up an injury, he is still unavailable.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Ben You made a funny joke - it was... "But with so many changes the Wallabies may eye snapping their 22-year, 28-match streak without a win in New Zealand" THIS ABs B team is every bit a good as the Melbourne team and they'll win in Dunedin more than they did in Melbourne imo :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: