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Beauden Barrett (Getty Images)
Injuries and form have forced the All the black people to make five changes, including the return of Beauden Barrett, for the second round of the Bledisloe Cup against the Wallabies in Auckland on Sunday.
Injured wing George Bridge and veteran lock Sam Whitelock have been replaced by Caleb Clarke and Tupou Vaa’i, while Rieko Ioane and Codie Taylor fall to the bench to make way for Anton Lienert-Brown and Dane Coles.
Damian McKenzie, a late starter in the first tie when Barrett was ruled out on the eve of the game, will take his place on the bench.
Despite the shakeup, coach Ian Foster said preparation had been “really good” as the All Blacks looked to go one step further at Eden Park, where they have not lost in 26 years.
“It was our first test together last weekend and while there were some aspects of our game that we were very excited about, especially around our set, we didn’t get the performance we wanted, so there has been a lot to keep working on.” said Foster.
“We need to be smarter with our ball and more focused on defense.”
Aside from the inclusion of Vaa’i, the starting package is the same one that fought for parity against the Wallabies in the 16-16 tie that kicked off the four-game series.
Matchday 23 features another new All Black with mainstay Alex Hodgman ready to make his Test debut from the bench.
Vaai and Clarke, who made their debut last week as replacements, are making their first test outing on their second outing.
The All Blacks replacements also include 36-Test Scott Barrett, who has been out of the game with a foot injury for the past three months.
He walks off to the side while Whitelock undergoes head injury evaluation protocols after complaining of headaches after the first test.
Lienert-Brown’s inclusion as a starting center comes after Ioane ruined a chance for a true attempt right at halftime when he dropped the ball while jumping over the line.
Teams:
New Zealand
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mounga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Damian McKenzie
Australia
15 Tom Banks, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Substitutes: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Jordan Petaia, 23 Reece Hodge
