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Richie mo’unga won the go-ahead to start on flyhalf with Beauden Barrett as a fullback for Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Wellington, but new coach Ian Foster emphasized that that doesn’t mean the arrangement is permanent.
Foster went for the experience by naming her All Blacks maiden team on Friday, retaining the same roles for Mo’unga and Barrett that they played in last year’s failed World Cup campaign.
Barrett is a World Double Player of the Year flyhalf and has stated that it is his preferred position, while his brother Jordie was the fullback in form at Super Rugby Aotearoa this year.
But Foster said he wanted Mo’unga and both Barretts on the field and solved the problem by naming Jordie on the right wing.
“It is a selection for this test,” emphasized Foster.
“Beauden still wants to play 10 and we also know how influential he can be at 15 … Probably the 15 in the country is Jordie, and he’s playing and I think you’ll find him a lot in the back field anyway, so I feel that we have the best of both worlds. “
While Foster, who replaced Steve Hansen after last year’s World Cup in Japan, has chosen to start with the established All Blacks, he has included three rookies in the reserves.
He said the balance for Matchday 23 was based on what he wanted and not what he expected from the Wallabies.
“Our way is to choose a group that we think can play our game well and it is clear that we have stayed on the side of some players who have a bit of experience under pressure when the structure starts to break down,” he said. .
Newcomers include Tupou Vaa’i, the 20-year-old Taranaki lock who will back Sam Whitelock and Patrick Tuipulotu in the middle row, Hoskins Sotutu is the replacement loose forward and Caleb Clarke, a son of former All Black Eroni Clarke. , is the outer rear reserve.
If Clarke takes the field, he will complete the 20th All Blacks father-son group.
The starter pack features seasoned accessory front row Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi with 50-proof hooker Codie Taylor in the middle.
On loose forwards, captain Sam Cane is at number seven, Shannon Frizell gets the nod as a blind end, while Ardie Savea starts at number eight.
Outside the halves, Aaron Smith and Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue and Rieko Ioane fill the centers with George Bridge on the left wing.
Foster said he had kept an open mind about the selections.
“We really wanted to see how the players fit in and fit in and how comfortable they felt going back into the environment, so there were a number of positions that we wanted to keep an open mind about,” he said.
“It’s a Bledisloe series and both teams will be determined to leave a marker. For us, it’s about getting our basics right and focusing on our piece and momentum and then letting the guys use their skills on the structure.”
The Bledisloe Cup is held annually between New Zealand and Australia and has been held by the All Blacks for the past 18 years.
Teams:
New Zealand
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaai, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Caleb Clarke
Wallabies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Korobiete, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Harry Wilson, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Mariners, 1 James Shoe
Substitutes: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Reece Hodge
