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All Blacks name near full-strength side to take on World Champion Springboks
By Finn Morton
The absences of injured duo Brodie Retallick and Shannon Frizell are minor blips on an otherwise full-strength side that has been named to take on South Africa at Twickenham on Friday.
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Coach Ian Foster recently confirmed that both Retallick and Frizell were “likely” to miss both the Springboks Test and the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup opener against France next month.
But the All Blacks have turned to two proven replacements, with Samuel Whitelock and Scott Barrett set to pack down in the second row.
With no Frizell at blindside flanker, and with Samipeni Finau missing out on the coveted World Cup squad, coach Foster has turned to Chiefs backrower Luke Jacobson to start in the No. 6 jumper.
Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have, almost unsurprisingly, been named to start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively. Veteran Dane Coles will complete the front row at hooker.
With world-class lock Sam Whitelock set to start his second Test of the year, Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett returns to the starting side after missing Bledisloe II in Dunedin.
Jacobson, captain Sam Cane and rampaging No. 8 will look to form a formidable backrow trio when they take the field on the hallowed turf of Twickenham on Saturday morning (NZT).
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Coach Foster has named an all-star backline to take on the world champion Springboks, with the Al Blacks picking the same backline that dismantled Edde Jones’ Wallabies at the MCG last month.
Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga will link up in the halves, while Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will continue to develop their exciting midfield combination – arguably the best centre combo in the world.
Mark Telea returns to the right wing and Beauden Barrett is back at fullback.
Will Jordan is the only member of this backline that took on the Wallabies in Dunedin. Jordan started in the No. 15 jersey at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but has shifted back to the right wing.
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Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i and Dalton Papali’i will look to provide impact off the bench.
The All Blacks have gone with a 6-2 split, with halfback Cam Roigard and centre Anton Lienert-Brown set to provide backline cover.
This is the All Blacks’ first Test at Twickenham since their anticlimactic draw with Eddie Jones’ England during last year’s Autumn Nations Series.
New Zealand have looked like world-beaters so far this year, having claimed The Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup and Bledisloe Cup on the back of some big wins.
But the Boks are here to play. South Africa has named a full-strength side as well, and it’ll be a solid challenge for both teams with World Cup ambitions.
The Test is set to get underway at 7.30 pm GMT on Friday, or 6.30 am NST for those rugby fans in Aotearoa getting up early on Saturday.
All Blacks team to take on South Africa
- Ethan de Groot
- Dane Coles
- Tyrel Lomax
- Samuel Whitelock
- Scott Barrett
- Luke Jacobson
- Sam Cane (c)
- Ardie Savea
- Aaron Smith
- Richie Mo’unga
- Mark Telea
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
- Replacements:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Tamaiti Williams
- Fletcher Newell
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Dalton Papali’i
- Cam Roigard
Hahaha
fix this article. Replacement isn't a player
Okay, Bruiser, a 2m lifter vs a 1.91m. Whichever way you cut it...
Only 22 players…7 on the bench…Who is the 23rd player? Am I missing something?
ALB is not showing on the list.
Baffled as to why Leicester isn't in the mix, would surely be cover for wing or Centre with Talea able to cover either wing.
Doesn't cover 12 and Reiko doesn't either.
Not saying LJ is a 'mug in the line-out' Luke, just acknowledging the huge height difference between him and Du Toit (2m vs 1.91).
Its as much about your lifter as your height
Also SF is a betta lineout option
Would still like to see samipeni at number 6, I think he's a better linebreaker than Jacobson. Still I suppose it's the experience Fosters looking for.
Like Lord and Vai'i on the bench - with Luke at 6, our line-out maybe under real pressure with no genuine 3rd option (which Frizzell provided). Maybe the ABs can keep the Boks guessing for 40 minutes with some whacky variations, then bring on the tall timber by the time the Boks figure us out.
LJ is no mug in the lineout.
I think the six/two split on the bench looks great.
They learn from the best 😄
Strong team by Foster. Both packs match up well but the blacks definitely have the edge in the backs. Its going to be a humdinger.
And there goes another Ben Smith kak theory out of the window. Hope it's a good game!!
Still believe the back three is weakened by having Barrett
At 15. Mark, Will and Leicester is far stronger. And although I'm a lone voice, until Razor validates this next year, Havili is lightyears better than Jordie. We can still win the cup w these selections. Mine would make it far more likely.
Havili is not a test 12. He keeps proving it every time he plays there. WJ is a great winger. Had a quite average game at 15.
I think this is the right back three for the outside pace the boks possess. I am a fan of Leicester especially his work rate but I've seen him beaten for pace and not tried or been able to turn round and chase.
Once you made the Jordie-Havili comment I just moved on. Rugby is all gainline now and Havili for all his skill in other aspects provides very little. With the Dantjys, Allendes and Kerevis of this world ... Havili is a liability.
You don’t seem to know what a lightyear is.
Totally agree. Razor will bring Narawa and Stevenson and move Jordan to 15