Leicester Fainga’anuku will wear the No.11 jersey against the Wallabies in his first All Blacks’ Test since the 2023 World Cup in one of six changes to the team that started at Eden Park last weekend.
Fainga’anuku comes in for the injured Caleb Clarke (ankle) in one of several forced changes for the Test in Perth on Saturday which include Damian McKenzie starting at first-five in place of Beauden Barrett (shoulder), Tamaiti Williams for Ethan de Groot (concussion) and Fletcher Newell for Tyrel Lomax (broken thumb).
The extent of the Lomax injury, which he suffered during his team's win over Australia at Eden Park, was not known until the squad arrived in Perth and he will head back to New Zealand tonight.
Skipper Scott Barrett, back from a shoulder problem, returns to lock alongside Tupou Vaa’i, with Patrick Tuipulotu remaining on the bench.
Really, it is the unforced changes which will spark the most intrigue, with the inexperienced Peter Lakai selected at No.8 ahead of Wallace Sititi. After four appearances off the bench, this will be Lakai’s first Test start.
Further, Quinn Tupaea has been selected at centre ahead of Billy Proctor, the incumbent No.13 who does not feature in the match-day squad.
In another surprise, Rieko Ioane, not involved in the two Boks’ Tests or last weekend’s 33-24 victory over Australia, has been selected on the bench.
Tighthead prop Pasilio Tosi has been selected on the bench following Lomax’s injury. Ruben Love, the only other specialist No.10 in the squad following Beauden Barrett's injury, has also been selected there as cover for McKenzie.
Scott Robertson has clearly rolled the dice on the squad in the wake of last weekend’s win, which secured the Bledisloe Cup, ahead of a challenging northern tour.
In a statement, he said: “We saw how competitive and determined the Wallabies were in Auckland last weekend, staying in the fight right to the end. We expect another tough contest this Saturday. We have picked a 23 to go toe-to-toe with a quality Australian team.
“It’s all up for grabs in what has been the most even Rugby Championship we’ve ever seen; and we’re here to cap off this competition with a performance we can be proud of.”
Beyond giving some more fringe players game time, there is also clearly a desire to freshen up his squad in his side’s ninth Test of the year.
A potential side effect, however, is that a team already struggling for consistency will lack cohesion against an Australia team fully aware of the All Blacks’ vulnerabilities after they fought back from 20-3 down at Eden Park to trail only 26-24 with 10 minutes to play.
There is a hint of Robertson’s experimental side he put out against France in the third Test in Hamilton in July.
The All Blacks trailed at halftime in that match before making it safe thanks to the hugely valuable contributions of their more experienced players on the bench, including Jordie Barrett.
Fainga'anuku, who started on the left wing for the All Blacks in their World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland in Paris, was brought in as an injury replacement for Timoci Tavatavanawai at the start of last month but has had to bide his time until now.
He is a like-for-like power replacement for Clarke, who has suffered a recurrence of the ankle problem which sidelined him until last weekend.
Fainga'anuku can also cover midfield, as can Ioane, who has been on the outer since being dropped after the All Blacks' defeat to the Pumas in Buenos Aires.
Fullback Will Jordan, who has scored 43 tries for the All Blacks, will celebrate his 50th Test on Saturday.
All Blacks match-day 23
(Test caps in brackets)
1. Tamaiti Williams (22)
2. Codie Taylor (102)
3. Fletcher Newell (30)
4. Scott Barrett (85) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (45)
6. Simon Parker (4)
7. Ardie Savea (102) (Vice-captain)
8. Peter Lakai (4)
9. Cam Roigard (13)
10. Damian McKenzie (69)
11. Leicester Fainga'anuku (7)
12. Jordie Barrett (76) (Vice-captain)
13. Quinn Tupaea (20)
14. Leroy Carter (2)
15. Will Jordan (49)
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (38), 17. George Bower (23), 18. Pasilio Tosi (11), 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (55), 20. Wallace Sititi (14), 21. Cortez Ratima (17), 22. Rieko Ioane (86), 23. Ruben Love (3).
Unavailable for selection: Tyrel Lomax (thumb), Caleb Clarke (ankle), Beauden Barrett (shoulder), Ethan de Groot (concussion), Ollie Norris (back), Emoni Narawa (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius).
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