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Will Jordan and Brodie Retallick return for All Blacks against Boks
The return of electric outside back Will Jordan and Test centurion Brodie Retallick headlines a star-studded All Blacks side to take on fierce rivals South Africa this weekend.
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New Zealand started their Rugby Championship campaign with a dominant win over Argentina in Mendoza last weekend, but the focus quickly began to shift to their impending challenge against the world champions.
After leaving South America in the early hours on Sunday morning, and arriving back in Aotearoa about 15 hours later, the hype and anticipation began to build for the All Blacks’ first Test on home soil this year.
Five players are preparing to take the Test field for the first time this year, including the likes of Will Jordan, Brodie Retallick, Mark Telea and Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams has also been named on the bench, and is a chance of making his debut in black at Mt Smart Stadium.
“Any Test against South Africa is a special occasion,” coach Ian Foster said in a statement. “There is a lot of respect between the two nations and that usually translates to an epic battle on the field.
“This will be a significant challenge and we are determined to grow after a solid start to the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship in Argentina last week.
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“It has been four years since we last played South Africa here in New Zealand so that also makes it special.”
The All Blacks have confirmed one change to their starting front row with Codie Taylor coming into the run-on side at hooker, while Dane Coles drops out of the matchday 23 altogether.
Retallick will pack down alongside Scott Barrett in the second row – seemingly confirming that veteran Sam Whitelock is still out with an injury.
Shannon Frizell, captain Sam Cane and enforcer Ardie Savea round out the forwards with a formidable back row trio.
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Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga is back in the 10 jersey this week after making a cameo off the bench against Los Pumas, and the champion Crusader will link up with Aaron Smith in the halves.
Jordie Barrett will play his 505h Test match on Saturday, and joins Rieko Ioane in the midfield. The star duo were nothing short of outstanding against Los Pumas.
Mark Telea is back on one wing, Will Jordan on the other, and Beauden Barrett has retained his spot at fullback.
“The fact that this game sold out over a month ago shows that fans are clearly up for it,” Foster added. “I’ve been told that we’re expecting over 31,000 fans which means a lot to us.”
The highly anticipated clash between the All Blacks and Springboks is set to get underway at 7.05pm NZST on Saturday at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.
All Blacks to take on Springboks
- Ethan de Groot
- Codie Taylor
- Tyrel Lomax
- Brodie Retallick
- Scott Barrett
- Shannon Frizell
- 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
- Nepo Laulala
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Dalton Papali’i
- Finlay Christie
- Braydon Ennor
- Caleb Clarke
Comments on RugbyPass
Crusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
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