All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says he will be bringing in players with “plenty of energy” for Saturday’s series decider against the Springboks in Baltimore.
New Zealand arrived in the USA after a gruelling journey from Johannesburg, having suffered a 29-24 defeat at FNB Stadium that left the Boks 2-1 ahead in the four-Test series.
The All Blacks have also lost captain Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea to injury, but Rennie revealed that changes had always been planned for the finale at M&T Bank Stadium.
“We sort of always thought we would make changes in the fourth Test regardless of whether we won that third one or not,” Rennie said.
“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.”
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Savea and Jacobson’s absence means the All Blacks will also require a new captain as they attempt to square the series.
Rennie could welcome loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord back after both suffered concussions in the opening Test at Ellis Park, while loose forward Ethan Blackadder is another option for his first Test appearance of the season.
Richie Mo’unga could also come into contention at flyhalf, while Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane are options to replace the injured Tupaea in midfield.
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Despite successive defeats, Rennie remains confident his side have enough left for one final crack at the world champions.
“We have definitely got one more in us.”
Both teams travelled together from Johannesburg to the USA on a journey that took approximately 26 hours and included a stop in the Canary Islands.
The lengthy trip prompted Rennie to give his players the day off training after their arrival.
“If we tried to train today after 24 or 26 hours of travel I think we would be beating a dead horse.”
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Rennie said sharing the journey with their fiercest rivals had been “fine”.
He added: “I am not sure how much banter and that sort of thing went on but there’s a lot of goodwill between the two sides, so travelling together was good.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post Rennie set to rotate appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says he will be bringing in players with “plenty of energy” for Saturday’s series decider against the Springboks in Baltimore.
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