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All Blacks make 11 changes to their team to take on Wales
By Liam Heagney
Ian Foster has made eleven changes to his All Blacks team to take on Wales this Saturday a week after their hectic 38-31 win over Japan in Tokyo. With Dane Coles and skipper San Cane unavailable through injury for the rest of the tour, second row Brodie Retallick suspended following his red card and midfielders Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Braydon Ennor diverted to Dublin to line out in an ABs XV against Ireland A, there was always going to be multiple changes for the Principality Stadium Test fixture.
However, Foster has taken things more than a step further by retaining just four players in the All Blacks starting team from last weekend - blindside Shannon Frizzel and three backs, fly-half Richie Mo’unga, left wing Caleb Clarke and right wing Sevu Reece.
Jordie Barrett has been given the nod at centre, joining Rieko Ioane in the midfield where David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown will provide cover from the bench. Aaron Smith returns to the number nine jersey, resuming his partnership with Mo’unga, while Beauden Barrett is named at full-back.
The front row of Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax is chosen in a tight five that sees the fit-again Scott Barrett partnered at lock by captain Samuel Whitelock. Completing the pack is the loose forward trio of Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i and Frizell.
Saturday’s match will be an auspicious occasion for scrum-half Smith as he is set to surpass Dan Carter as the most capped back in All Blacks history, playing his 113th Test.
Foster said: “Playing Wales on the road always represents an exciting challenge. We have a number of players returning to the side and we know we will need to play with a high intensity against this physical Welsh team. Last year the roof at Principality Stadium was open due to Covid regulations but this time it will be closed. That will ensure an amazing atmosphere for fans and players.”
Foster also confirmed that winger Will Jordan will not take part on the tour due to a persisting vestibular issue.
All Blacks (vs Wales, Saturday)
1. Ethan de Groot (10)
2. Codie Taylor (73)
3. Tyrel Lomax (21)
4. Samuel Whitelock (140 - captain)
5. Scott Barrett (55)
6. Shannon Frizell (22)
7. Dalton Papali'i (19)
8. Ardie Savea (67)
9. Aaron Smith (112)
10. Richie Mo'unga (42)
11. Caleb Clarke (12)
12. Jordie Barrett (45)
13. Rieko Ioane (56)
14. Sevu Reece (22)
15. Beauden Barrett (109)
16. Samisoni Taukei'aho (18)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (49)
18. Fletcher Newell (4)
19. Tupou Vaa'i (16)
20. Akira Ioane (19)
21. Brad Weber (17)
22. David Havili (22)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (57)
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Latest Comments
was I right to infer that you assumed a 1:1 correspondence between points and places?
If so why were you so evasive about admitting that?
I've typed out a reply regarding the pool format but I won't send it if you don't answer my question.
Go to commentsFoster should never have been appointed, and I never liked him as a coach, but the hysteria over his coaching and Sam Cane as a player was grounded in prejudice rather than fact.
The New Zealand Rugby public were blinded by their dislike of Foster to the point of idiocy.
Anything the All Blacks did that was good was attributed to Ryan and Schmidt and Fozzie had nothing to do with it.
Any losses were solely blamed on Foster and Cane.
Foster did develop new talent and kept all the main trophies except the World Cup.
His successor kept the core of his team as well as picking Cane despite him leaving for overseas because he saw the irreplaceable value in him.
Razor will take the ABs to the next level, I have full confidence in that.
He should have been appointed in 2020.
But he wasn’t. And the guy who was has never been treated fairly.
Go to comments