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All Blacks change six, including a recall for ban-served Retallick
By Liam Heagney
Ian Foster has confirmed an All Blacks team to take on England this Saturday in London that has six changes from the XV that beat Scotland 31-23 last Sunday in Edinburgh. In the pack, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax and Brodie Retallick step in for Samisoni Taukei’aho, Nepo Laulala and Akira Ioane.
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The inclusion of the suspension-served Retallick for his 100th Test cap sees him start at lock with Scott Barrett switching to blindside and Ioane missing out. On the bench, two back-rowers are included with Shannon Frizell joined this week in reserve by Hoskins Sotutu.
In the backs, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Rieko Ioane are named in place of Finlay Christie, David Havili and Anton Linert-Brown. Havili and Linert-Brown are two of the three backs subs, along with TJ Perenara.
The recall of Mo’unga to start has also resulted in a number of positional switches. Beauden Barrett, last weekend’s No10, has switched to full-back and the No15 against the Scots, Jordie Barrett, is now stationed at No12.
An NZR statement read: “The 31-year-old Retallick will become the twelfth All Black to reach the 100-cap milestone and just the second lock forward in that illustrious group, alongside captain Samuel Whitelock.
“Retallick and Whitelock will also create their own piece of history, setting a new world record of 64 Test starts together. The previous record (63) was held by South Africa’s Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. Playing in his eleventh international season, Retallick will share the special occasion with family who have travelled from New Zealand to celebrate along with teammates and team management.”
Foster said: “The All Blacks congratulate Brodie and his family on what is an extremely proud moment for them. He has had a massive contribution to the legacy of this team over the last decade, during which he has inspired many.”
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All Blacks (vs England, Saturday)
1. Ethan de Groot (12)
2. Codie Taylor (75)
3. Tyrel Lomax (22)
4. Brodie Retallick (99)
5. Samuel Whitelock (142 – Captain)
6. Scott Barrett (57)
7. Dalton Papali’i (21)
8. Ardie Savea (69)
9. Aaron Smith (113)
10. Richie Mo’unga (43)
11. Caleb Clarke (14)
12. Jordie Barrett (47)
13. Rieko Ioane (58)
14. Mark Telea (1)
15. Beauden Barrett (111)
Replacements:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (20)
17. George Bower (21)
18. Nepo Laulala (44)
19. Shannon Frizell (24)
20. Hoskins Sotutu (13)
21. TJ Perenara (79)
22. David Havili (24)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (59)
Some curious and confounding selections on the bench.
Picking two midfielders is unusual for the All Blacks. Which Barrett will Havili replace - Jordie or Beauden?
Rieko will slot into left wing replacing Clarke when ALB takes the field.
Frizzell's sub will mean Scott Barrett will move to lock, but Sotutu will either be straight swap with Savea, or Savea moves to openside replacing Papali'i which is a big call to lose either of those two in the last 20.
Finally Laulala's continuing selection is contrary to Foster's public comment after the Irish series that they needed dynamic, ball carrying props to contribute outside their core roles. Laulala is not that type of player, he's your traditional strong scrummager who lumbers when he carries the ball. Confounding selection.
A big and strong side, should be an epic game. A massive challenge for our team, here is hoping they win it, either way I will support them, Go BLACK!
Fantastic team. England ran at Richie multiple times in the 2019 WC. They will again I suspect. Especially if Mo’unga is on the same side of a ruck or scrum as Caleb Clarke.