Head coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to his All Blacks starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against the Springboks at FNB Stadium.
The burly Asafo Aumua takes over from Codie Taylor at hooker, 2m-giant Sam Darry comes in at lock and powerful flanker Peter Lakai will start at No 6 for the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Wallace Sititi is set to make his first Test appearance of the series, named among the replacements, while Fabian Holland drops to the bench and Samisoni Taukei’aho provides impact off it.
The changes mean lock Tupou Vaa’i, who started at 5 in last week’s loss in Cape Town, shifts across to partner Darry in the second row for what will be his 50th Test cap.
“Tupes [Vaa’i] is a top man. It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us,” Rennie said.
TEAM: Kolbe at fullback for Calabash clash
With the series level 1-1, Saturday’s clash at the Calabash will decide who claims bragging rights before next week’s final outing in Baltimore.
“With both teams heading into the third Test one apiece, there’s everything to play for on Saturday,” Rennie added.
“The team that doesn’t win this weekend can’t win the series. That’s the kind of challenge we love to rise to.
“The team is feeling fresh after a full week’s lead in to the game and we can’t wait to put everything out on the park.”
ALL BLACKS – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Peter Lakai, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 George Bower.
Bench: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post All Blacks run-on XV rejigged to bash Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Head coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to his All Blacks starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against the Springboks at FNB Stadium.
The post All Blacks run-on XV rejigged to bash Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
