All Blacks make changes for second Test match
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named his match-day 23 for the second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town with several changes from the team that won 33-16 in Johannesburg.
George Bower, who made an impact off the bench last week, comes in for Ethan de Groot who is still undergoing HIA protocols.
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Lock Josh Lord. Tupou Vaa’i moves to the second row, replacing Lord, with Simon Parker in the six jersey.while Xavier Numia comes into the 23 providing prop cover, while Patrick Tuipulotu is lock cover.
In the backs, there is just one positional switch from last week’s team, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby swapping positions. Carter starts in the 11 jersey and Moorby is outside back cover in the 23 jersey.
“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” said Rennie.
“We’ve played four Tests this year and are still growing as a group. I’m really excited about the competition for places and the performances of the squad across the matches here in South Africa, and we’re really looking forward to this weekend.”
The All Blacks have played South Africa 111 times, for 64 wins, 43 losses and four draws. The All Blacks will be playing only their second Test match at DHL Stadium, with all ten previous Cape Town Test matches played at the old Newlands Stadium.
Damian McKenzie will be playing his 34th consecutive Test match on Saturday.
Will Jordan extended his All Blacks try-scoring record to 53 tries last weekend, joining English winger Rory Underwood in sixth place on the men’s international Test try-scoring list. Japanese winger Daisuke Ohata holds the record with 69 tries.
All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (capt), Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
