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Duhan van der Merwe lasts just 18 minutes as Edinburgh go 4-from-4 in URC
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Rennie confirms changes will be made to All Blacks team for Baltimore
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All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed they will make changes to the 23 for the Baltimore Test, sticking to an original pre-tour plan to freshen up the side for the last encounter.
There are at least three forced changes to the starting side with captain Ardie Savea, openside Luke Jacobson and centre Quinn Tupaea all succumbing to injury and being sent home.
“We sort of always thought we would make changes in the fourth test regardless of whether we won that third one or not,” Rennie told media.
“Make sure we are bringing in guys with plenty of energy and share the load. Obviously with three key players missing, it alters that thinking as well. But what we know is we will have a highly motivated 23 guys stripping at the weekend.”
With Tupaea and Billy Proctor both injured, the door is open for either Rieko Ioane or Anton Lienert-Brown to start again for the All Blacks. Lienert-Brown has been the preferred bench option for the Test side, while Ioane showed good form in the warm-up fixtures against the South African clubs.
The back row is certain to be a new one with Savea and Jacobson out, both who have started every Test so far under Rennie.
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder could earn a recall after performing well against the Lions in the last of the warm-up fixtures.
In terms of unforced changes, the coaches could give Richie Mo’unga a run after the first five returned to the squad midway through the tour. Ruben Love has had six starts in a row and could be rested.
Rennie believed there was enough depth in the squad to level the series 2-2 in the United States.
“We have definitely got one more in us,” he told reporters.
“There is massive emotional disappointment, but there’s a lot to play for in our minds. We can win this weekend and tie the series two-all and will go home knowing we’re in a better spot than when we arrived.”
