All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made several changes to his line-up, including a surprising switch on the left wing, for the second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town on Sunday.
George Bower, excellent off the bench in Johannesburg last weekend, predictably starts at loosehead prop after Ethan de Groot clashed heads with teammate Josh Lord.
Both de Groot and Lord failed head injury assessments which rules them out of the Test at the DHL Stadium. Tupou Vaa’i, previously used as a blindside flanker in the big Tests by Rennie, will replace Lord at lock.
Simon Parker, a reserve last weekend, will start at blindside flanker, with Patrick Tuipulotu, who played the first half of Wednesday’s 41-35 victory over the Lions, named as lock cover on the bench.
Front rowers Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia and Fletcher Newell are also on the bench, along with loose forward Peter Lakai, meaning there is no room for Ethan Blackadder, who was superb against the Lions.
The biggest surprise comes in the No.11 jersey, with Leroy Carter starting ahead of Josh Moorby. Moorby was extremely solid there in the first Test and scored his team’s first try of five after receiving Vaa’i’s excellent offload.
Clearly the selectors have seen something in the Boks’ back three that Carter may be able to exploit. Head coach Rassie Erasmus named his team, which included nine changes, on Tuesday.
The other selections are straightforward, with hooker Codie Taylor and tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax retaining their places, along with loose forwards Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and the backline apart from Moorby.
Remarkably, fullback Damian McKenzie will be playing his 34th consecutive Test.
Right wing Will Jordan, who extended his Test try scoring record to 53 tries with his double last weekend, has gone to No.6 on the all-time men’s Test list alongside former England international Rory Underwood. Japan’s winger Daisuke Ohata holds the record with 69 tries.
The midfield of Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea, easily New Zealand's best, will again be crucial on both sides of the ball and will likely be expecting a change of attacking strategy from the Boks.
Kyle Preston is the back-up halfback, while Anton Lienert-Brown will wear the No.22 jersey again.
A victory for Rennie’s men after last weekend’s triumph will put them 2-0 up in the four-Test series and there is no doubt the Boks will bring a new level of desperation to their play. Erasmus spoke of his "irritation" at the team's performance at Ellis Park and partly blamed himself for being "too clever" with his selections.
“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” Rennie said.
“We’ve played four Tests this year and are still growing as a group. I’m really excited about the competition for places and the performances of the squad across the matches here in South Africa, and we’re really looking forward to this weekend.”
All Blacks team to play Springboks
(Test caps in brackets)
1. George Bower (27), 2. Codie Taylor (110), 3. Tyrel Lomax (52), 4. Fabian Holland (13), 5. Tupou Vaa’i (48), 6. Simon Parker (9), 7. Luke Jacobson (28), 8. Ardie Savea (110) - Captain, 9. Cam Roigard (21), 10. Ruben Love (9), 11. Leroy Carter (8), 12. Jordie Barrett (82), 13. Quinn Tupaea (27), 14. Will Jordan (58), 15. Damian McKenzie (78). Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua (23), 17. Xavier Numia (2), 18. Fletcher Newell (38), 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (57), 20. Peter Lakai (11), 21. Kyle Preston (2), 22. Anton Lienert-Brown (91), 23. Josh Moorby (3).
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