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Shaun Stevenson one of three debutants as All Blacks team named for Bledisloe clash
Ian Foster has named his All Blacks side to face the Wallabies in Dunedin in the second Bledisloe Test with a host of changes, including the popular selection of Shaun Stevenson.
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The Chiefs flyer has been handed a start on the right wing as part of a new look back three, with Crusader Leicester Fainga’anuku earning a berth on the left wing and Will Jordan wearing the No 15 jersey for the first time.
Beauden Barrett has been rested from the gameday 23, meaning the Mt Smart Test was his last on New Zealand soil ahead of his post-World Cup move to Japan.
Foster has gone with a fresh midfield, handing Braydon Ennor a start in the No 13 jersey alongside Anton Lienert-Brown at 12, while Dallas McLeod is in line for his first cap having been named on the bench in the 23 jersey.
In the halves, Damian McKenzie has been given another start at No 10 after his impressive performance in the opener in Mendoza and he will partner Finlay Christie, who will wear the No 9.
Aaron Smith has been named on the bench, which means last week’s debutant Cam Roigard misses out. Smith will have the opportunity to farewell the Dunedin faithful in the black jersey after a storied career for the Highlanders. Richie Mo’unga has been named as the reserve first five-eighth.
The changes continue up front with a new look front row. Tamaiti Williams has been handed his first start at loosehead prop, alongside Samisoni Tau’keiaho and Nepo Laulala. Fletcher Newell returns to the side on the bench, alongside reserves Dane Coles and Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
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The second row is familiar with Sam Whitelock returning to the starting side to resume his partnership with Brodie Retallick. Tupou Vaa’i has been named on the bench as the reserve lock, while Scott Barrett has been rested.
The back row is headlined by the debut of Samipeni Finau in the No 6 jersey, while Sam Cane also returns to the lineup after sitting out the Melbourne Test with a neck concern. Ardie Savea will play again in at No 8, with Luke Jacobson named as loose forward cover.
All Blacks side to face the Wallabies at Forsyth Barr 2.35pm NZT:
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Samisoni Tau’keiaho
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. Finlay Christie
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Shaun Stevenson
15. Will Jordan
Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Aaron Smith
22. Richie Mo’unga
23. Dallas McLeod
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Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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