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All Blacks name six debutants in team to play Fiji in San Diego
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks have named a swathe of debutants for their one-off Test at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego against Fiji.
After blooding halfback Cortez Ratima at Eden Park against England off the bench, Scott Robertson has handed more debuts to Billy Proctor, Wallace Sititi, George Bell, Pasilio Tosi, Noah Hotham and Sam Darry.
Off the six debutants, Billy Proctor is the only starter, lining up in the No 13 jersey along side 72-Test veteran Anton Lienert-Brown for a new midfield combination. The rest of the Test rookies are named on the bench.
After his debut last week, Ratima gets his first start at halfback named alongside Damian McKenzie who starts his third consecutive Test at first five-eighth.
Returning to the starting line-up in the backs is left wing Caleb Clarke, who scored a hat-trick for the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific final, and Beauden Barrett who returns to the No 15 jersey.
Tamaiti Williams gets his first chance in the black jersey at loosehead prop, named in the No 1 jersey alongside Asafo Aumua and Fletcher Newell in a new-look front row.
Scott Barrett captains the side again in the second row while Tupou Vaa'i has been elevated into the starting line-up with Patrick Tuipulotu remaining back in New Zealand.
In the loose forwards Luke Jacobson has been handed a start at blindside, while Ethan Blackadder gets a chance at openside alongside Ardie Savea at No 8.
“They’ve earned their opportunity; they’ve prepared well and they are ready for Test match rugby. We have a lot of respect for Fiji who will be fast and physical and we’re looking forward to the contest," head coach Scott Robertson said of his team.
"It’s been a superb week in in San Diego. Our leaders have fed off the younger players energy and our focus is now on performing.”
All Blacks team to play Fiji:
15. Beauden Barrett
14. Sevu Reece
13. Billy Proctor*
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Damian McKenzie
9. Cortez Ratima
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Tupou Vaa'i
6. Luke Jacobson
7. Ethan Blackadder
8. Ardie Savea
Reserves
16. George Bell*
17. Ethan de Groot
18. Pasilio Tosi*
19. Sam Darry*
20. Wallace Sititi*
21. Noah Hotham*
22. Jordie Barrett
23. Emoni Narawa
*denotes debut
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Latest Comments
Funny that I read this after watching last night's game where Matera packed down at openside every signle time. Jaguares also used to play with OS/BS flankers when he was with them. Of course, if he's at 8 or not involved, Pumas could do it the French way and put, let's say, Kremer on the right and Golzalez on the left. You're correct about Matera's tenure at Crusaders where he was mainly used at blindside but also at #8 on occasion as far as I remember. He has the frame and skillset to play whichever back row position he's put at, much like Ardie or Jack Willis or Pocock.
Go to commentsDoesn't sound like FJ is doing anything of the sort to be fair. When your head coach says he's not spoken to him but claims he's doing work in the background... That work must be really productive if the coaches aren't bothering to look at it.
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