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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in line for debut as All Blacks team named for decider
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks will welcome back the experience of Sam Whitelock to the starting side while Blues star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is in line to make his much anticipated All Black debut.
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With Whitelock returning to partner Brodie Retallick in the locks, Scott Barrett has moved back to No 6 where he started in the first test against Ireland at Eden Park.
Elsewhere in the pack, Nepo Laulala has been named to start at tighthead prop for the first time this season alongside Codie Taylor and George Bower. Ofa Tuungafasi drops to the bench where Dane Coles and Aidan Ross will also provide front row cover.
Sam Cane will captain the side at openside flanker with Ardie Savea at No 8. Last week’s No 6 Dalton Papalii returns to the bench while his Blues teammate Akira Ioane has also been named for a return.
The back line has been reshuffled for the deciding test with Will Jordan named to start on the right wing, pushing Sevu Reece to the left replacing Leicester Fainga’anuku.
In the midfield, David Havili returns to the starting 12 jersey to partner Rieko Ioane while the experienced combination of Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett have been named at 9 and 10. Folau Fakatava and Richie Mo’unga will cover the halves on the bench.
“It’s tough having a loss but the tough weeks are often the most exciting,” says Ian Foster.
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“A series decider against a high-quality side is a great occasion for our growth as a team.”
All Blacks team to face Ireland:
1. George Bower (13)
2. Codie Taylor (68)
3. Nepo Laulala (40)
4. Brodie Retallick (94)
5. Samuel Whitelock (133)
6. Scott Barrett (50)
7. Sam Cane © (79)
8. Ardie Savea (61)
9. Aaron Smith (104)
10. Beauden Barrett (103)
11. Sevu Reece (19)
12. David Havili (15)
13. Rieko Ioane (49)
14. Will Jordan (14)
15. Jordie Barrett (38)
Reserves
16. Dane Coles (80)
17. Aidan Ross (1)
18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (46)
19. Akira Ioane (13)
20. Dalton Papalii (14)
21. Folau Fakatava (1)
22. Richie Mo’unga (33)
23. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck *
Taukei'aho has been the ABs' in-form player, and brings so much ball-carrying threat in addition to his excellence at hooker, so it baffles me that he is dropped entirely in favour of an ageing Coles. This does not bode well for the ABs chances, and Tuivasa-Sheck as the reserve centre seems rash- surely Goodhue is the proven product and more capable of handling the pressure of a decisive Test match should Havili disappoint again. Prepared for an ABs defeat based on this side (Cane has not convinced, Laulala was dropped for a reason, Ioane at 13 yet to click fully at Test level), though they may run it close with Jordan starting and a third test for Smith/Barrett to hone their offensive plays
Massively disappointing , another step back. Samsoni our best hooker is dropped??? Havili who isnt a no 12....will get shunted back or day. Foster has learnt nothing. And how many minutes before Nepo gets red or yellow card. Bye Bye
Two selections which betray Fossie's innate conservatism. Codie Taylor and Sam Cane. The in-form 7 can't get a start and the best hooker over the past year can't even make the bench.
Fossie has painted himself into a corner appointing Cane captain - and if the ABs lose on Saturday, maybe the only way out of that is for Fossie to resign, so that a new coach can start afresh.
A big challenge for the boys this week good luck and go hard. We got used to winning a lot since 2010 but before then and in particular before 2004 that was not always the case. Win or lose I support them through thick and thin, always bet on black! Go the mighty ABs.