The All-Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup Fortinet Rugby Championship Test at Eden Park on Saturday 14 August (kick-off 12.35PM IST).
The matchday 23 is (Test caps in brackets):
- George Bower (4)
- Codie Taylor (59)
- Nepo Laulala (32)
- Brodie Retallick (84)
- Samuel Whitelock (126) – captain
- Akira Ioane (5)
- Dalton Papalii (6)
- Ardie Savea (51)
- Aaron Smith (100)
- Richie Mo’unga (25)
- Sevu Reece (11)
- David Havili (6)
- Rieko Ioane (38)
- Will Jordan (5)
- Damian McKenzie (31)
- Samisoni Taukei’aho (2)
- Karl Tu’inukuafe (19)
- Angus Ta’avao (17)
- Scott Barrett (42)
- Luke Jacobson (6)
- TJ Perenara (69)
- Beauden Barrett (92)
- Jordie Barrett (26)
The All Blacks selectors have gone with the same forward pack named to start the first Bledisloe Cup Test, with hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho coming onto the reserves bench for Dane Coles, and Scott Barrett also returning as reserve lock.
In the backs, Rieko Ioane moves to center, replacing Anton Lienert-Brown, who took a knock to his knee on the weekend. Sevu Reece moves to the left wing and Will Jordan comes in on the right wing. Halfback TJ Perenara also returns to the All Blacks matchday 23, as halfback reserve.
All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We’re all excited to be returning to Eden Park for the second Bledisloe Cup Test. It’s been a very ‘forward looking’ week. We were delighted with the result last weekend and obviously had some things that we had to work on this week so that has kept us focused.
Foster said there was huge motivation amongst the team ahead of this weekend.
“We know that Australia will be disappointed with the result and will lift. It’s a do or die game for them.
“But the Bledisloe Cup means a lot to us. It’s an historic trophy and it’s easy for people to take it for granted based on results in recent years, but throughout history it has been a hard Cup to win, so it’s hugely important.”
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