All Blacks name their most experienced team to ever play World Cup final

The All Blacks have named a relatively settled team to take on the Springboks in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France with coach Ian Foster making just one change to the starting side.

Sam Whitelock, 35, will come off the bench in his 153^rd and final Test. Test centurion Brodie Retallick has been recalled into the starting side and will partner Scott Barrett in the forwards.

The only other change to the All Blacks team that played Argentina last week comes on the bench. Nepo Laulala replaces Fletcher Newell on the bench, while Samisoni Taukei’aho retains his place in the No. 16 jumper ahead of Dane Coles.

Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith and Whitelock have all been named in an All Blacks team for the last time. Dane Coles is another departing All Black, but the veteran will watch on from the sidelines as his teammates take on the Springboks.

“We’ve talked about farewells. We’ve talked this week about being the best that we can,” assistant coach Jason Ryan told reporters on Tuesday.

“We had quite a nice night last night as a team and some of our experienced leaders spoke about what it’s been to be an All Black and their previous experiences in World Cups, as well as some of the younger boys.

“That’s been a special part of our week and it was nice last night listening to some of those guys. Anyone that has played 100 plus Tests, you’ve got some stories haven’t you.”

With 1387 Test caps between them, this is the most experienced All Blacks side to ever play in a Rugby World Cup decider.

Australian-born props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax join hooker Codie Taylor in a familiar-looking front row, with the trio set to pack down alongside each other for the third time in as many Tests.

As mentioned, veteran Brodie Retallick comes back into the starting side at No. 4 lock and will join Scott Barrett in the second row as Sam Whitelock drops to the bench.

Shannon Frizell will look to impress in his final Test match before heading to Japan after signing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan’s Rugby League One.

The powerful blindside flanker joins captain Sam Cane and World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Adrie Savea in a formidable backrow that has taken the World Cup by storm this month.

New Zealand have named an unchanged backline following the commanding 44-6 win over Argentina in last week’s semi-final, starting with the halves pairing of Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga.

Outside of the midfield duo of Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett, Breakout Player of the Year contender Mark Tele’a will look to take flight on the left wing.

Try-scoring phenomenon Will Jordan – who could potentially break the record for tries scored in a single tournament in Saturday’s final – will start on the right, while Beauden Barrett lines up out the back.

Moving onto the bench, the All Blacks have gone with a 5:3 split to combat the Springboks’ ‘Bomb squad.’ As well as Taukei’aho and Laulala, Breakout Player of the Year nominee Tamaiti Williams is the third front-row replacement.

Whitelock and flanker Dalton Papali’i are the two replacements in the forwards.

Finlay Christie has been picked ahead of Cam Roigard once again, while Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown will look to add some value off the pine.

The Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France kicks off at 9.00 pm CET on Saturday evening / 8.00 am NZT on Sunday morning.

All Blacks team for Rugby World Cup final

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Tayor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Scott Barrett
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Mark Tele’a
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Will Jordan
15. Beauden Barrett

Replacements:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Sam Whitelock
20. Dalton Papali’i
21. Finlay Christie
22. Damian McKenzie
23. Anton Lienert-Brown