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New captain and two debutants named for All Blacks' clash with Japan
By Finn Morton
Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the All Blacks for the first time on Saturday evening when they take on Eddie Jones’ Japan in Yokohama. This All Blacks side includes two potential debutants, with Peter Lakai and Ruben Love both in line to “make their mark on the black jersey.”
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Coach Scott Robertson has named a talented 23 for the clash at Nissan Stadium, with Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown serving as vice-captains. Damian McKenzie also returns to the starting side after benching against the Wallabies at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
Pasilio Tosi has been named to start a Test for the first time, with the powerful tighthead prop set to pack down alongside Asafo Aumua and Tamaiti Williams. Captain Tuipulotu joins Sam Darry in the second row to round out the tight five.
In the backrow, Samipeni Finau gets a chance at blindside flanker, while in-form backrower Wallace Sititi has been handed a maiden start in the No. 8 jumper. 100-Test flanker Sam Cane completes the starting forward pack on the openside.
For the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup, Cam Roigard will wear the black jersey following a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury. Roigard has worked tremendously hard to get back to the Test arena, and finally, the halfback’s chance awaits.
Roigard joins McKenzie in the halves, while Lienert-Brown will link up with one-Test All Black Billy Proctor in the midfield. 2023 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Mark Tele’a starts on the left wing with Sevu Reece on the right, and Stephen Perofeta gets the nod at fullback.
On the bench, Hurricanes duo Lakai and Love are the two potential debutants. George Bell is also set to play Test number two, and Josh Lord gets another chance in the black jersey for the first time since the clash with Argentina in Auckland.
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“We have had a fantastic few days in Tokyo so far and the energy in the group as we kick off this tour is exciting to see. We will bring that energy when we face the Brave Blossoms on Saturday, as we know that Japan will play a fast, attacking game,” coach Scott Robertsons said.
“We are all thrilled for Ruben and Peter who will get their chance to make their mark on the black jersey for the first time, and for Stephen and Cam who have both worked hard to make their return from injury.
“Congratulations also to Patrik for being named as All Blacks captain. Pat has great mana, leadership and experience; it’s a proud moment for him and his whanau.
“The welcome and hospitality we have received in Japan has been very humbling, so we look forward to repaying this support with a performance to be proud of on Saturday.”
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This Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup Test at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium will kick off at 6:50 pm NZST on Saturday evening.
All Blacks team to take on Japan
- Tamaiti Williams
- Asafo Aumua
- Pasilio Tosi
- Sam Darry
- Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
- Samipeni Finau
- Sam Cane (vc)
- Wallace Sititi
- Cam Roigard
- Damian McKenzie
- Mark Tele’a
- Anton Lienert-Brown (vc)
- Billy Proctor
- Sevu Reece
- Stephen Perofeta
Replacements
- George Bell
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Fletcher Newell
- Josh Lord
- Peter Lakai
- TJ Perenara
- David Havili
- Ruben Love
Unavailable due to injury: Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb), Dalton Papali’i (upper hamstring)
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Congratulations Patrick, hope you get through it well, it's not the first time you've been named captain am I right. Last thing you need is more bad luck.
Also hope this means EDG is OK, this is a fairly weak team with the likes of 'project' player Bell and still returning from injury Lord on the bench. Hope Ofa gets a few chances to highlight is skill, along with his grit.
This could be close to the top backline so if Eddie continues to pick no names it could be a very long night for the Brave Blossom's.
What I find frustrating is that ALB and Proctor carved up against Fiji but didn’t get a crack at the higher ranked sides.
Now they’ll smoke Japan, and we’ll be back to Jordie and Rieko against The Big Three, who won’t look nearly as good for obvious reasons.
And how much wiser will we be on who delivers the goods?
I want Ofa especially to have a mean game. DeGrootz gunna have to front up big time when he comes back. Tamaiti has owned that role.
Heaviest AB tight 5 ever to start a match?
Worth noting that 12 players are not picked for this team (presumably sent on ready to start against England) and three other loosies were injured prior to setting off. How many other teams in world rugby would be able to pick a team like this with 15 players missing? South Africa? Not many others.
Tru dat!!
Great to see Scott and his coaching staff fielding player combinations who in my opinion will prove themselves to be worthy.
Go the All Blacks...as the rugby world looks on...onwards and upwards...
Just not in this next game...
Good looking team, our front row is ridiculous (good ridiculous) also good to see Proctor & ALB in there, good to have two actual centres playing. Would have liked to have seen PL starting with Cane coming off the bench, but ahh well, and not a Barrett to be seen, literally can't remember AB team in recent years without at least one of them. And fantastic to see CR back & starting at 9.
Sh!t yeah!! Now this is a lineup I can get excited about. Finally razor.
I like it.
Swap Love and Perofeta round, Ricatelli for bell, hoskins for havilli, Lakai at seven with Ollie Mathis making his debut off rimu and you’d have yourself a pretty sweet team.
Riccatelli ain't getting a shot bro.
Sotutu has big attitude issues, or so we are told, so 0 chance he will be an AB with that in mind. People keep seeming to misunderstand Havilis role. He is just there to cover many positions, that's it.
Mathis is bang average bro, I would rather have Harmon, Grace, or Christie over him. He is an alright winger, but he gets outshine by true wingers often. He hasn't even got a super a contract I think.
Wallace at 8 is a good call. Hopefully centre's click. Seevu should have been replaced. Need to set the right tone for this tour now.
Considering the ALB/ Proctor pairing worked in the Fiji test. Yes, they absolutely should click.
Yeah, need to set the tone that the RC was the exception, not the rule. Show how ruthless they can be in scoring against Japan, and maybe they'll be considered fearful again.
Good enough team. Should account for Japan easily enough and it will be good to see some of the regies get time.