There have been many changes for the All Blacks after being under-challenged in Ian Foster’s first responsible game.
There is an entirely different backline, marked by the return of Beauden Barrett with fullback pushing Damian McKenzie on the bank. Rieko Ioane, originally dropped on the bench but is now completely out due to injury Anton Lienert-Brown lined up in the middle outside. Caleb Clarke makes his run-on debut on the left wing George bridge suffer a nasty pec injury during training.
In the pack Tupou Vai’i makes its first start instead of Sam Whitelock Who hasn’t deleted HIA logs while Dane Coles replaced Codie Taylor as a hooker.
A debut looms in the reserves Alex Hodgman.
Assistant coach John Plumtree pointed out that the All Blacks weren’t shy about criticizing last week’s show. “The guys were pretty tough on themselves,” he said. “The reason is because they have their standards that they want to take to any major competition, and if those standards are not met, you will get that reaction.”
Head coach Ian Foster awaits an answer. “It was our first test together last weekend and while there were some aspects of our game that we were really looking forward to, especially our set piece, we didn’t get the performance we wanted so there was a lot work on it for us, ”he said. “We have to be smarter and more defensive with our ball.”
1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane (captain), 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10th Richie Mo’unga, 11th Caleb Clarke, 12th Jack Goodhue, 13th Anton Lienert-Brown, 14th Jordanie Barrett, 15th Beauden Barrett.
Substitutes: 16th Codie Taylor, 17th Alex Hodgman, 18th Nepo Laulala, 19th Scott Barrett, 20th Hoskins Sotutu, 21st TJ Perenara, 22nd Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23rd Damian McKenzie.
Debutant Alex Hodgman has an infectious smile and, based on how open he was in his earliest television interview, a great attitude.
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