Wallace Sititi is the big winner for the All Blacks this week, the loose forward named to start in a strong side to face Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday morning NZT.
Sititi, used off the bench for the past two Tests, has been named in the No.6 jersey alongside skipper Ardie Savea, who retains his spot at openside flanker, and No.8 Peter Lakai, the latter starting his third Test in succession.
The 23-year-old Sititi will replace Simon Parker, who was not quite on his game during the victory over Ireland in Chicago last weekend. Du’Plessis Kirifi has been named as cover on the reserves bench.
With Josh Lord predictably named as the replacement for the injured Scott Barrett, and Quinn Tupaea and Leicester Fainga’anuku selected as the All Blacks’ midfield in Jordie Barrett’s absence, Sititi’s selection, and the centre cover on the bench, are the only decisions that could be considered surprises.
As Fainga’anuku, who came off the bench in the first quarter at Soldier Field, is starting, the selectors have gone for Billy Proctor as midfield cover rather than the more experienced and versatile Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane.
Proctor’s last Test was a start in the No.13 jersey against Australia at Eden Park in late September. Ioane was used as a replacement as recently as the All Blacks' victory over the Wallabies in Perth, while Lienert-Brown has not been sighted on the pitch since the side’s defeat to Argentina in Cordoba in August.
Lienert-Brown, who has played 86 Tests in total, was yellow carded as a reserve in that victory. His only other Test this year was a start against France in Hamilton in July.
Head coach Scott Robertson has retained the same starting front row, with Cam Roigard and Beauden Barrett, the latter named vice-captain in brother Jordie’s absence, the inside back combination, with Caleb Clarke, Leroy Carter and Will Jordan again set to start as outside backs.
While the All Blacks finished the match against Ireland extremely well - scoring three of their four tries during that period - Robertson will have been mildly concerned about the sluggish start.
The All Blacks trailed 10-7 at halftime and then 13-7 after the break before their impressive comeback which featured tries from replacement prop Tamaiti Williams, Sititi and Roigard.
Striking a balance between starting and finishing well will likely be the reason behind the resting of Parker, who in his first year of international rugby, in favour of the explosive Sititi.
The difficult Test against England at Twickenham next weekend will also have played a part in the selectors’ balancing act.
Halfback Cortez Ratima and first-five/fullback Damian McKenzie have predictably been named on the bench and will be expected to again up the All Blacks’ tempo against a Scotland side ranked No.8 in the world, albeit one with a talented backline.
Hooker Codie Taylor has also been named as a vice-captain.
Scotland will be celebrating 100 years of international rugby at Murrayfield with this Test, while the All Blacks will be aiming to retain their 120-year winning streak against the Scots.
Head coach Robertson said these records would add to the atmosphere.
“We are honoured to be part of the 100th anniversary of rugby at Murrayfield - it will be a special occasion," he said.
"We have a proud history with Scotland and recent games between us have been close. We have named the best team to reflect the challenge we know Scotland will present.”
All Blacks match-day 23
(Test caps in brackets)
1. Ethan de Groot (38), 2. Codie Taylor (104) (vice-captain), 3. Fletcher Newell (32), 4. Josh Lord (9), 5. Fabian Holland (10), 6. Wallace Sititi (16), 7. Ardie Savea (104) (captain), 8. Peter Lakai (6), 9. Cam Roigard (15), 10. Beauden Barrett (142) (vice-captain), 11. Caleb Clarke (31), 12. Quinn Tupaea (22), 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku (9), 14. Leroy Carter (4), 15. Will Jordan (51).
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (40), 17. Tamaiti Williams (24), 18. Pasilio Tosi (13), 19. Sam Darry (6), 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (6), 21. Cortez Ratima (19), 22. Billy Proctor (9), 23. Damian McKenzie (71).
Unavailable for selection: Scott Barrett (leg cut) Jordie Barrett (high ankle sprain).
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