The All Blacks have made one change to their starting line-up for the World Cup final against the Springboks on Sunday morning NZT, with Brodie Retallick back in the No.4 jersey ahead of Sam Whitelock.
And, in a move designed to combat the infamous South African ‘bomb squad’ (and Ox Nche), experienced prop Nepo Laulala, who has played 52 Tests, replaces 23-year-old Fletcher Newell on the bench.
“Nepo is a very strong scrummager, very experienced,” head coach Ian Foster said. “He’s trained so well. He was disappointed he didn’t play in the last two and this is a great occasion alongside Samisoni [Taukei’aho] with Sammy Whitelock on the bench, we believe we have a lot of confidence in that group coming on.”
Foster confirmed it was a difficult decision to leave out hooker Dane Coles in his final opportunity to play a Test.
“Yeah, tough,” Foster said. “Probably the toughest I’ve had as a coach.”
Asked how Coles took the news, Foster said: “The way that I would have expected him to. He’s a champion.”
With 1387 Test caps, this is the All Blacks’ most experienced team to play a Rugby World Cup final. After losing the opener to France, the All Blacks have needed to win every game to stay in the tournament and they've done that in increasingly impressive ways including their knockout phase wins over Ireland and Argentina.
They're in an excellent spot physically and mentally and have a full squad to select from.
Dealing with South Africa’s forward pack will be key to the All Blacks’ chances on Sunday. (Source: Breakfast)
Several New Zealand publications ahead of the team announcement hinted at an injury to playmaker Richie Mo’unga but Foster confirmed his No.10 was fit and well. “I read that, and I was very interested, although I haven’t heard it from my own medical staff,” Foster said. “I don’t know where that came from.”
The South Africans have again gone for a 7-1 forwards-backs split on the bench after trialling it for the first time during their record 35-7 victory over the All Blacks in the warm-up match at Twickenham but the All Blacks are happy to go down a more traditional route.
Indeed, a relaxed Foster told a full media conference at the team’s Parisian country club hotel that the All Blacks trialled their own strategy in that match, saying: “They’ve got their way. They think it suits their strength. But it doesn’t really change anything we do, to be frank.
“We doubled up with their 7-1 split by just playing with 14 men and 13 men for quite a part of that game. We tried that clever strategy and decided we didn’t like it so we’re going to try a different one this week.”
Skipper Sam Cane said: “In terms of strategy, we feel we’re in a good place.
“That builds confidence and there will be a high level of emotion heading into the start of the game but there always is. We’ve played two finals, two knockouts, we’ve effectively played more actually, in a row. I trust we’re in a good spot there.
“The boys have done a lot of physical and mental prep. Although it’s a final it is another game and we need to go out there and trust ourselves.”
“It is an honour to fly our nation’s flag in the World Cup final once again,” said Foster. “We are proud of what we have achieved so far in this tournament, but the job is not done yet and we know full well the challenge that lies ahead.
“Of the seven World Cups that have been held outside of New Zealand, the All Blacks have only managed to win one. It goes to show just how hard it is to do but this group is determined to work hard for each other, as we have done all year.”
The most-capped player in the team’s history, Whitelock (152), will become the first men’s player in history to make three World Cup deciders. He is also one of six World Cup winners in the match day 23.
“Once again we have felt the support of an entire nation behind us,” added Foster. “We will definitely carry that with us when we go to Stade de France on Saturday.”
All Blacks team to play South Africa in the World Cup final at the Stade de France on Sunday, kick-off 8am NZT, is: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Tele’a, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Sam Cane ©, 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Brodie Retallick, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Dalton Papali’i, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Damian McKenzie.
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