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All Blacks make four changes for Championship opener versus Boks

(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

All Blacks boss Ian Foster has named a team to face the Springboks on Saturday in Nelspruit containing four changes from the XV beaten by Ireland in Wellington on July 16. Having reshuffled his backroom staff since the series loss to the Irish, Jason Ryan coming on board with John Plumtree and Brad Mooar exiting, the under-fire Foster has now unveiled a side that contains three changes to his starting pack and another switch on the wing. 

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In the backs, Caleb Clarke comes in for Sevu Reece ar No11 in the only change in that sector – it will be a first Test appearance for the 23-year-old since November 2020 against Argentina in Newcastle. Up front, though, the alterations are more plentiful.

With Brodie Retallick unavailable following his fractured cheekbone sustained in a yellow-carded tackle by Andrew Porter, the All Blacks have chosen the fit-again Scott Barrett in the second row. Barrett had originally been named to start in the third Irish Test but didn’t pitch up on matchday, his place going to Akira Ioane who keeps hold of the blindside jersey against South Africa.   

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In the front row, Samisoni Taukei’aho has been named to start at hooker in place of Codie Taylor while Angus Ta’avao – red carded in the second Test defeat by Ireland in Dunedin on July 9 – is back at tighthead in place of Nepo Laulala, who drops out of the match day 23 along with Taylor.

The bench named by Foster contains five changes from the loss in Wellington, with Dane Coles, Tupou Vaa’i and Richie Mo’unga the three repeat picks. Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot are the reserve props on this occasion instead of Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi. Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie and Quinn Tupaea are also included at the expense of Dalton Papalii, Folau Fakatava and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Foster said: “What a great way to start this year’s Rugby Championship. It’s always an exciting tournament to be part of. This year’s draw means we have a massive challenge of two games here in South Africa. We have settled in well in Mbombela and are preparing for what is always an intense game against our old foe. Many of our squad are here in South Africa for the first time. This gives us another opportunity to add new experiences and grow our game.”

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All Blacks (versus Springboks, Saturday)
1. George Bower (14)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (11)
3. Angus Ta’avao (22)
4. Sam Whitelock (134)
5. Scott Barrett (50)
6. Akira Ioane (14)
7. Sam Cane © (80)
8. Ardie Savea (62)
9. Aaron Smith (105)
10. Beauden Barrett (104)
11. Caleb Clarke (5)
12. David Havili (16)
13. Rieko Ioane (50)
14. Will Jordan (15)
15. Jordie Barrett (39)

Replacements:
16. Dane Coles (81)
17. Ethan de Groot (4)
18. Tyrel Lomax (14)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (12)
20. Shannon Frizell (17)
21. Finlay Christie (6)
22. Richie Mo’unga (35)
23. Quinn Tupaea (9)

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Comments

8 Comments
B
Bruiser 833 days ago

Why does he persist with Havilli. Caleb wont get to see the ball, as Havilli will be smashed backwards on the gainline all day

C
Chris 834 days ago

David vs Goliath on the wing with Caleb against Arendse. Reminds me of Paulse vs Lomu a bit.

M
Michael 834 days ago

Still can't understand logic with Barrett - they moved him to #6 in 1st test against Ireland and it worked well and gave us 3 jumpers in lineout. They select him for the 2nd test but injury prevents, and then they move him back to lock for 3rd test and it fails compounded by only 2 jumpers.

Now they have Tuipolotu and Vaai available to partner Whitelock at lock and resume trial of Barrett, but NO, they go back to the lineup as Ireland test 3 and will be trying to win lineout against Ezebeth, de Jager and du Toit - totally illogical - we needed three jumpers in the line!

b
bruce 834 days ago

never thought of Angus as a strong scrummager...mobile for a big guy, but can he hold up a Bok scrum?

W
Wessel 834 days ago

Better positional selections. Front row are going to be under massive pressure. Can’t see them seriously challenging the Boks upfront and if they are getting pushed back that’s going to lead to chaos in the back line play. Inexperience off the bench might not be able to match the Bomb squad to turn things around …. Should be a cracker as always …!!!

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J
JPM 1 minute ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

Unfortunately you don't know anything about French rugby, coaches and players but still making a lot of assumptions and judgements to push your prefabricated and simplistic point of view that Dupont is manipulating everything and is a bad guy. I am not a NZ rugby specialist and wouldn't dare make such theories about what is going on within the ABs team. Therefore my advice to you is to do like Dupont and stay humble when you don't know all the background of the issues !!!


Firstly if you knew a bit of Galthié, he is not the type of coach who is going to ask advice to his players and even his captain about team selection. He is as stubborn as you...


Second Ramos has played a lot of times as 10 with Toulouse and therefore Dupont (in particular when Ntamack is injured and unfortunately it has often happened recently and for long periods). He even played 10 during the last 3 games of the 2024 6N and this was far better performance than the first two games with Jalibert as 10.


Thirdly Jalibert lacked of respect to a La Rochelle player so your theory is once again out.


Fourth as I explained to you Galthié went for a 6-2 bench and Jalibert can only play 10 which doesn't fit that plan. Furthermore as 15 Buros is better under high balls than Ramos and everybody is prepared for a tactical kicking game.


So you can blame Galthié for a lot of things (as you clearly enjoy doing at the end of your post and you should be very happy as an AB fan) but certainly not Dupont. Sorry once more for your conspiracy theory.


And don't worry about potential disharmony in the French team; they are excellent mates around their captain. Jalibert is well known in the French rugby circles to have not a strong character (and we saw that in the WC quarter finals as he is very nervous in any decisive international game unlike Ntamack and Ramos as for his late penalty kick vs England this year).


In conclusion enjoy the game tmrw night. It is good that the ABs are very upset; we should watch a great game of rugby. I hope for running rugby and not too much kicking. With 5 key players injured on our side (Ntamack, Baille, Atonio, Cros and Penaud) and 2 on your side I and various French fans see you as favourites. I obviously hope for another result.


If you are interested you can read a good article in the Guardian on the subject of France-NZ games.

92 Go to comments
K
KB 3 minutes ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Consistency agree and SA were not unbeaten in 2023 RWC NZ were in 2015 - McCaw and Carter Nonu and Smith SA did not have those Marque players in those postions in 2019 or 2023 - So I wouldnt rank them ahead of tje ABs of 20I5 that clocked up 60 points against France in the QF - furthermore I do not believe for one moment SA won 2023 fairly no way - they were so favoured it became obvious that behind the scenes SA the nation bought the title - Their last 3 matches were won by a solitary point - Sport has been hijacked by a satanic cult just as is Politics

Some players coaches officials and sponsors are involved they know who they are - its called freemasonry - any sport that allows betting is corrupt - its not all about money either for these parasites its also about control - lots of American NFL players have spoken openly about games being scripted - Football is also rigged Referees have been caught on film showing freemason hand signs - The 95 world cup final ranks as the highest and most obvious attempt at cheating There was no way SA were going to allow NZ to gate crash Nelson Mandelas reunification party - NZ were so good they had to posion almost the entire team to get a 3 point win - a Hollywood Movie ( theres your Red Flag ) was made about SAs triumph called Invictus


William Henley wrote a poem called Invictus


It starts


Out of the night that covers me BLACK ( All Blacks ) as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever GODS maybe for my unconquerable Soul ...( Olan says INVICTUS is an evil Malevolent entity who corrupted the Titans ... this is Mandelas double meaning speech ( hes a fraud ) - of thanks for helping overcome SA's adversary NZ - There is only ONE true God Yahuah - Only a false god would be complicit in Cheating Corruption and Harming others to win a RWC for a sick and sinful Nation ) the poem ends with


I am the CAPTAIN of my soul


SA will forever bear the stain of guilt and disgrace over their involvement in poisoning the ABs a day before the 95 RWC Final

10 Go to comments
C
CO 45 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

92 Go to comments
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