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All Blacks name near full-strength side to take on World Champion Springboks
The absences of injured duo Brodie Retallick and Shannon Frizell are minor blips on an otherwise full-strength side that has been named to take on South Africa at Twickenham on Friday.
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Coach Ian Foster recently confirmed that both Retallick and Frizell were “likely” to miss both the Springboks Test and the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup opener against France next month.
But the All Blacks have turned to two proven replacements, with Samuel Whitelock and Scott Barrett set to pack down in the second row.
With no Frizell at blindside flanker, and with Samipeni Finau missing out on the coveted World Cup squad, coach Foster has turned to Chiefs backrower Luke Jacobson to start in the No. 6 jumper.
Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have, almost unsurprisingly, been named to start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively. Veteran Dane Coles will complete the front row at hooker.
With world-class lock Sam Whitelock set to start his second Test of the year, Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett returns to the starting side after missing Bledisloe II in Dunedin.
Jacobson, captain Sam Cane and rampaging No. 8 will look to form a formidable backrow trio when they take the field on the hallowed turf of Twickenham on Saturday morning (NZT).
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
20
23
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
40%
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Coach Foster has named an all-star backline to take on the world champion Springboks, with the Al Blacks picking the same backline that dismantled Edde Jones’ Wallabies at the MCG last month.
Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga will link up in the halves, while Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will continue to develop their exciting midfield combination – arguably the best centre combo in the world.
Mark Telea returns to the right wing and Beauden Barrett is back at fullback.
Will Jordan is the only member of this backline that took on the Wallabies in Dunedin. Jordan started in the No. 15 jersey at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but has shifted back to the right wing.
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Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i and Dalton Papali’i will look to provide impact off the bench.
The All Blacks have gone with a 6-2 split, with halfback Cam Roigard and centre Anton Lienert-Brown set to provide backline cover.
This is the All Blacks’ first Test at Twickenham since their anticlimactic draw with Eddie Jones’ England during last year’s Autumn Nations Series.
New Zealand have looked like world-beaters so far this year, having claimed The Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup and Bledisloe Cup on the back of some big wins.
But the Boks are here to play. South Africa has named a full-strength side as well, and it’ll be a solid challenge for both teams with World Cup ambitions.
The Test is set to get underway at 7.30 pm GMT on Friday, or 6.30 am NST for those rugby fans in Aotearoa getting up early on Saturday.
All Blacks team to take on South Africa
- Ethan de Groot
- Dane Coles
- Tyrel Lomax
- Samuel Whitelock
- Scott Barrett
- Luke Jacobson
- Sam Cane (c)
- Ardie Savea
- Aaron Smith
- Richie Mo’unga
- Mark Telea
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
- Replacements:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Tamaiti Williams
- Fletcher Newell
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Dalton Papali’i
- Cam Roigard
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
41 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
41 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
41 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments