All Blacks make five changes to starting XV for second Bledisloe Cup meeting with Australia

1:33 am, October 16, 2020

The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup presented by Investec at Eden Park, Auckland, on Sunday 18 November.

Matchday 23 features the selection of another new All Black, with mainstay Alex Hodgman set to make his test debut from the bench, while two other new All Blacks, lock Tupou Vaa’i and winger Caleb Clarke, are making. his first test outing in his second tests.

Hodgman is one of several changes to matchday 23 forwards, with hooker Dane Coles starting and Codie Taylor on the bench, while prop Nepo Laulala returns through the bench alongside Hodgman. Lock Sam Whitelock is going through Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocols and was not available for selection, so Tupou will start alongside Patrick Tuipulotu. Plus, there’s a welcome return through the bench for 36-round Scott Barrett, after a four-month layoff due to injury.

At the rear, Anton Lienert-Brown has been named in the center, while Rieko Ioane will provide impact from the bench. George Bridge, who suffered a severe chest injury in training Wednesday, gives way to Clarke on the left wing. Beauden Barrett reprises his position at fullback after his late retirement last week, with Damien McKenzie on the bench.

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said: “Our preparation this week has been really good. “It was our first test together last weekend and while there were some aspects of our game that got us quite excited, especially in regards to our set, we didn’t get the performance we wanted, so there was a lot for us to work on. in. We need to be smarter with our ball and more focused on defense.

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“The Bledisloe series is back to square one and is starting again this weekend, which is exciting. It is the last test at home for us, so there will be great excitement among our fans as well. There is everything to play for and we can’t wait ”.

On the selection of Vaa’i and Hodgman, Foster said: “This is a great opportunity for Tupou. We enjoyed seeing him come off the bench last weekend, he brought a lot of energy and has adjusted well

“Alex has been impressive in the training weeks. He is mobile and has made great strides in his scrum, so it is a great opportunity for him in his first test. “

The All Blacks and Australia will play their 168th Test against each other. New Zealand has won 115 of those matches, Australia 44 with eight draws. The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Bookings: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.