All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made six changes to his match 23 for Saturday’s second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Three changes come in the starting lineup, with Leroy Carter replacing Josh Moorby on the left wing, Simon Parker coming in at blindside flank and George Bower promoted from the bench at loosehead prop.
Moorby drops to the bench after starting in the 33-16 victory at Ellis Park, where he scored one of New Zealand’s five tries.
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Parker’s inclusion sees Tupou Vaa’i shift from blindside flank to No 5 lock alongside Fabian Holland. The 117kg loose forward came on during the first half in Johannesburg after Josh Lord was forced from the field.
Lord and prop Ethan de Groot are both unavailable due to concussion stand-downs following their head clash in the series opener.
Bower, who made a big impact off the bench at Ellis Park, takes over from De Groot in the No 1 jersey.
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The enforced changes up front have also opened the door for veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu and prop Xavier Numia to join the replacements.
Tuipulotu captained the All Blacks against the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday, while Numia is in line to earn his third Test cap.
A victory in Cape Town would give the All Blacks a 2-0 lead in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and guarantee them at least a share of the trophy.
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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 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post All Blacks make big wing call, rejig pack appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made six changes to his match 23 for Saturday’s second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town.
The post All Blacks make big wing call, rejig pack appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
