All Blacks name near full-strength side to take on World Champion Springboks

The absences of injured duo Brodie Retallick and Shannon Frizell are minor blips on an otherwise full-strength side that has been named to take on South Africa at Twickenham on Friday.

Coach Ian Foster recently confirmed that both Retallick and Frizell were “likely” to miss both the Springboks Test and the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup opener against France next month.

But the All Blacks have turned to two proven replacements, with Samuel Whitelock and Scott Barrett set to pack down in the second row.

With no Frizell at blindside flanker, and with Samipeni Finau missing out on the coveted World Cup squad, coach Foster has turned to Chiefs backrower Luke Jacobson to start in the No. 6 jumper.

Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have, almost unsurprisingly, been named to start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively. Veteran Dane Coles will complete the front row at hooker.

With world-class lock Sam Whitelock set to start his second Test of the year, Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett returns to the starting side after missing Bledisloe II in Dunedin.

Jacobson, captain Sam Cane and rampaging No. 8 will look to form a formidable backrow trio when they take the field on the hallowed turf of Twickenham on Saturday morning (NZT).

Coach Foster has named an all-star backline to take on the world champion Springboks, with the Al Blacks picking the same backline that dismantled Edde Jones’ Wallabies at the MCG last month.

Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga will link up in the halves, while Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will continue to develop their exciting midfield combination – arguably the best centre combo in the world.

Mark Telea returns to the right wing and Beauden Barrett is back at fullback.

Will Jordan is the only member of this backline that took on the Wallabies in Dunedin. Jordan started in the No. 15 jersey at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but has shifted back to the right wing.

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i and Dalton Papali’i will look to provide impact off the bench.

The All Blacks have gone with a 6-2 split, with halfback Cam Roigard and centre Anton Lienert-Brown set to provide backline cover.

This is the All Blacks’ first Test at Twickenham since their anticlimactic draw with Eddie Jones’ England during last year’s Autumn Nations Series.

New Zealand have looked like world-beaters so far this year, having claimed The Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup and Bledisloe Cup on the back of some big wins.

But the Boks are here to play. South Africa has named a full-strength side as well, and it’ll be a solid challenge for both teams with World Cup ambitions.

The Test is set to get underway at 7.30 pm GMT on Friday, or 6.30 am NST for those rugby fans in Aotearoa getting up early on Saturday.

All Blacks team to take on South Africa

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Dane Coles
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Samuel Whitelock
5. Scott Barrett
6. Luke Jacobson
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Mark Telea
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Will Jordan
15. Beauden Barrett
16. Replacements:

    16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
    17. Tamaiti Williams
    18. Fletcher Newell
    19. Josh Lord
    20. Tupou Vaa’i
    21. Dalton Papali’i
    22. Cam Roigard