Two uncapped All Blacks are in line to make their debuts in the team's first match of their "Greatest Rivalry" tour of South Africa.
Chiefs first-five Josh Jacomb and Hurricanes prop Siale Lauaki have been named on the reserves bench for the match against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday morning NZT.
As expected, Beauden Barrett will wear the No.10 jersey for his first match of the year for the All Blacks, with Rieko Ioane, back from sabbatical in Ireland, in the No.11 jersey.
Other notable selections include blindside flanker Simon Parker, who also did not play in last month's three Nations Championship Tests, and Ethan Blackadder, who, like Jacomb and Lauaki, was one of 10 newcomers to the extended squad of 44 for the trip.
Lock Fabian Holland will also play his first match for the side this year after recovering from a dislocated shoulder suffered in a Super Rugby pre-season match.
In total, seven All Blacks will be making their first appearance in a black jersey this year: Holland, Parker, Blackadder, Ioane, Barrett, plus halfback Kyle Preston and prop Ollie Norris.
Second-rower Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the team in the absence of Ardie Savea (still in New Zealand) and Codie Taylor (calf injury).
Wallace Sititi returns to No.8, with Peter Lakai at openside flanker.
Josh Moorby, who made his Test debut off the bench against Italy last month and started in the No.11 jersey a week later against Ireland at Eden Park, will start at fullback. Leroy Carter is on the right wing, with Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Proctor in the midfield.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate the new All Blacks Siale and Josh. It will be a very exciting and proud day for them and their families,” head coach Dave Rennie said in a statement.
“We’ve had a great welcome in Cape Town and we’re excited to get this tour underway.
“We are really pleased with how our leaders, including match day captain Patrick and tour captain Codie, have prepared the group. We can’t wait for Friday.
“We’re well aware of how good this Stormers side is. They made the semifinals of the United Rugby Championship last year and they are a big, physical side with a mix of talented youngsters and Springboks, so we are preparing for a real war of attrition.”
The All Blacks, who take on the Bulls in Johannesburg the following Wednesday NZT, are hot favourites against a Stormers side in the midst of pre-season.
All Blacks squad to play Stormers
1. George Bower, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, (C), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Josh Moorby. Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Siale Lauaki, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Caleb Clarke.
Match facts
- The All Blacks will be playing an historic first ever match against the Stormers. The team played their predecessor Western Province five times, for three wins (1949, 1960 and 1970) and two losses to the All Blacks in 1928 and 1976.
- The Stormers match will be the All Blacks second appearance at DHL Stadium. All ten previous Test matches in Cape Town were played at Newlands.
- In total the All Blacks have played 25 times in Cape Town, for 17 wins, seven losses and one draw.
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