Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

All Blacks make five changes for Aaron Smith's 100th test

(Photo by Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz)

The All Blacks will roll out their first-string lineup for their clash with the Wallabies on Saturday, with halfback Aaron Smith set to play his 100th match.

ADVERTISEMENT

Head coach Ian Foster has made five changes to the team that ran out against Fiji last month.

The front row remains unchanged with 2021 debutant George Bower partnering Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor and Blues tighthead Nepo Laulala.

Video Spacer

Brodie Retallick identifies where the Wallabies could be most dangerous.

Video Spacer

Brodie Retallick identifies where the Wallabies could be most dangerous.

Captain Samuel Whitelock will partner Brodie Retallick in the second row, who’s rapidly readjusting to the intensity of test rugby after a year-long absence. In the loose forwards, Ardie Savea shifts to the back of the scrum while Dalton Papalii, freshly returned from a lingering calf injury, will slot in at No 7.

Smith, who will become the first All Blacks halfback to play 100 tests, will partner Richie Mo’unga – who has won the battle with Beauden Barrett to guide the team around the park as the key playmaker.

David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown will also continue to build on their partnership in the midfield.

In the outside backs, Damian McKenzie has been named ahead of Jordie Barrett at fullback while Sevu Reece will swap back to the right wing and Rieko Ioane will come into the run-on side on the left.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the reserves, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao and Dane Coles will add impetus in the front row while Scott Barrett covers lock.

Luke Jacobson will cover all three loose forward roles off the bench while Brad Weber has unsurprisingly been named as back-up to Smith.

Brothers Beauden and Jordie Barrett will cover the remaining backline positions.

“There is huge excitement in our group at what lies ahead this weekend,” said Ian Foster. “There is such a huge history with the Bledisloe Cup, the rivalry between the All Blacks and Australia goes back a long, long way, and it’s always a massive contest. The Cup isn’t ours; we have to go out and win it again. We can’t wait for the weekend.”

On Aaron Smith’s special milestone, Foster said: “He’s a special man, he’s achieved so much in the black jersey and has been an iconic player for us over the last decade. We know it’ll be a special night for him, his wife Teagan and his family.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:05pm NZT from Eden Park in Auckland.

All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 42 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones
Search