Beauden Barrett will captain the All Blacks for the first time when they face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, with Richie Mo’unga back at flyhalf.
Coach Dave Rennie has made eight changes to the starting XV that beat Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield, with Barrett set to earn his 149th Test cap.
The veteran fullback takes over the captaincy from Codie Taylor, who has been rested, while his brother Scott retains his place in the second row.
“Beauden brings such valuable experience and is massively respected by us all,” said Rennie. “Captaining the All Blacks in a test is an honour that I know he doesn’t take lightly, so it’ll be a proud day for him and his whānau.”
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Mo’unga makes his first appearance since suffering a calf injury during the fourth Test against the Springboks in Baltimore, replacing the rested Damian McKenzie.
Fehi Fineanganofo earns his first Test start on the right wing in place of the injured Will Jordan, while Anton Lienert-Brown replaces Jordie Barrett, who suffered a head knock against Scotland, at inside centre.
In the pack, George Bower and Asafo Aumua join Fletcher Newell in the front row, Josh Lord partners Scott Barrett in the second row and Anton Segner makes his first Test start at blindside flank.
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Rennie has opted for a six-two bench split, with the versatile utility Leicester Fainga’anuku included for his first All Blacks appearance of 2026. He can cover the loose forwards, midfield and wing.
Jamie Hannah could also make his second Test appearance after earning a recall following an impressive NPC campaign with Canterbury.
The All Blacks have won their past 34 Tests against Wales, whose last victory over New Zealand came in 1953.
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ALL BLACKS – 15 Beauden Barrett (c), 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 George Bower.
Bench: 16 George Bell, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 22 Kyle Preston, 23 Rieko Ioane.
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
The post Beauden captains All Blacks, Richie returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Beauden Barrett will captain the All Blacks for the first time when they face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, with Richie Mo’unga back at flyhalf.
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