1
All Blacks ring in the changes as fresh starters take over
By Ben Spratt
Richie Mo'unga is among seven changes to the New Zealand team for this weekend's Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.
The All Blacks have won their first two matches - both against Bledisloe Cup rivals Australia - and coach Steve Hansen has taken the opportunity to hand starts to a number of fringe men.
Mo'unga comes in for Beauden Barrett, who he had been tipped to replace prior to the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year's scintillating four-try show against the Wallabies.
Sam Whitelock is another notable absentee, although he appears among the replacements, with Joe Moody injured and Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Aaron Smith, and Jordie Barrett also sitting out.
Captain Kieran Read remains in the side, as Nehe Milner-Skudder makes his first Test appearance of 2018.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is set to make his New Zealand debut from the bench.
However, Hansen insists the changes to the side do not suggest a disrespect towards Argentina, believing the All Blacks must grow the squad and pace themselves across the season.
"While we've made a number of changes from our last outing, this is not a reflection on Argentina but rather a desire by us to grow the experience and depth of our squad," he said.
"Secondary to that, we also know that if we don’t use the whole squad across a long season, we’ll run out of steam later in the year.
"In making these changes, it also needs to be said that the high expectation we place on ourselves remains the same, regardless of who we've selected. The All Blacks jersey demands this."
New Zealand XV to face Argentina: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Richie Mo'unga, TJ Perenara; Karl Tu'inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (captain).
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Tim Perry, Ofa Tuungafasi, Sam Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Banned ex-Springbok Elton Jantjies breaks his silence
3
Three Springboks, three All Blacks named in L’Equipe's Best XV 2024
4
Warren Gatland's Wales to move on Prem scrum coach
5
Latest Comments
Not upset, just amused at you going on about saucing. Maybe you should stick to soccer. Your comments dont matter, I was merely trying to help you to stop proving you ate a fool. Cheers from SA, the home of the mighty Springboks. By the way, liverpool deserves a better quality of supporter.
Go to commentsThat absolute BS, when did you come up with this idea?
All three were well on track to being All Blacks. They simply decided it was smarter to take the money right now rather than slog on for another 3 or 4 years waiting for their opportunity to line up.
Many AB quality players have not even got the chance to earn a cap for heavens sake, it is simply as you suggest elsewhere, better utilization of global talent to have them qualify for another nation.
The only problem is that the ABs get all the best players, mostly because they pay more, and the island nations, even the home nations, just get those that can't make it or want a bit more limelight.
Go to comments