Changes to All Blacks for third Test with Springboks
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All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made a number of significant changes for the third Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg..
Hoker Asafo Aumua will start with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming into the 23 as impact and Codie Taylor moved aside.
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Sam Darry starts at lock in his 11th Test, while Fabian Holland moves to the bench. Peter Lakai will start in the six jersey, and Wallace Sititi will make his first Test appearance in the Series, coming into the 23 as loose forward impact.
Tupou Vaa’i will be playing his 50th Test.
“Tupes is a top man. It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us,”said Rennie.
“With both teams heading into the third Test one apiece, there’s everything to play for on Saturday.”
“The team that doesn’t win this weekend can’t win the series. That’s the kind of challenge we love to rise to.
“The team is feeling fresh after a full week’s lead in to the game and we can’t wait to put everything out on the park.
Rennie has also paid tribute to the All Blacks huge fanbase.
“We’ve really felt the support not only from our travelling army of Kiwi fans and fans here in South Africa, but also the New Zealand public back home. It’s been massive for us and we look forward to more of the same this weekend.”
The backline remains the same from the second Test.
As well as Vaa’i playing his 50th Test, there will also be other numerical milestones this weekend: Damian McKenzie will be playing his 80th Test, Will Jordan his 60th, Fletcher Newell his 40th, and Luke Jacobson his 30th.
The All Blacks have played twice previously at FNB Stadium, winning 29-22 in 2010 and 32 - 16 in 2012.
With his 33rd Test try last week, Ardie Savea took the number of total Test tries for the Savea brothers to a world record of 79 for siblings (Julian Savea scored 46), passing the Barrett brothers mark of 78: Beauden has scored 45 tries, Jordie 26 and Scott seven.
All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (capt), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua,, George Bower. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
