Flanker Ardie Savea will captain New Zealand against Australia as the All Blacks made four changes on Thursday to a side “stung” by their record defeat to South Africa.
In a devastating blow, regular captain Scott Barrett is out of Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test at Eden Park in Auckland with a shoulder injury suffered during the 43-10 humiliation at the hands of the Springboks.
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He is replaced at lock by Fabian Holland while the only other change to a pack humbled by the physical South Africans in Wellington two weeks ago is a recall for veteran hooker Codie Taylor, who has recovered from injury.
The fit-again duo of scrumhalf Cam Roigard and wing Caleb Clarke return in the only other changes to the starting side.
Unbeaten record
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson resisted making sweeping changes as New Zealand look to maintain a 31-year unbeaten record at Eden Park and retain the Bledisloe Cup.
“Once you’ve been hurt and stung like we were, the best thing to do is play,” Robertson said.
“You learn on stage and they’ve been under the spotlight and it’s another chance for them.
“So you bring those four players back and then you keep the cohesion of the rest of the group and that’s when you start to cement a little bit of form together.”
After two weeks of intense scrutiny from the New Zealand public, Robertson played down the scale of the Springbok defeat, in which four tries were conceded in the final quarter.
“It’s the small margins in games. We chased a game that got away from us but for the majority we played some really good footy,” he said.
First appearance
Former world player of the year Savea has prior experience of captaining the All Blacks, including twice against France in June.
Clarke will play on the left wing for his first Test start this year with Leroy Carter moving to the right and Will Jordan to fullback.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and fullback Damian McKenzie drop to the replacements, while back-row forward Peter Lakai could make a first appearance this year from the bench.
“With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds,” Robertson said.
“We are preparing for a strong Australian side and understand the importance of this match. There is a lot to play for on Saturday evening.”
TEAMS
New Zealand
15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Australia
15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Date: Saturday, 27 September
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 07:05 (SA time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
