WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Richie Mo’unga will start at flyhalf in one of five changes to the All Blacks lineup that will face South Africa on Saturday in a match likely to decide the Rugby Championship and offer form pointers for the World Cup.
Damian McKenzie, who had an influential game at flyhalf in New Zealand’s 41-12 win over Argentina last weekend, has been dropped from the match 23 but Beauden Barrett has been retained at fullback in familiar play-making pairing with Mo’unga.
In other changes for the test at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, Codie Taylor will start at hooker in place of Dane Coles and Brodie Retallick replaces Josh Lord at lock.
Mark Telea will start on the left wing ahead of his Blues teammate Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan has been picked on the right wing to replace Emoni Narawa, who scored a try on debut last weekend. Jordan has been sidelined for much of the season by migraine headaches.
Prop Tamaiti Williams has been named to make his test debut from the bench against the World Cup champion Springboks.
“Any test against South Africa is a special occasion. There is a lot of respect between the two nations and that usually translates to an epic battle on the field,” head coach Ian Foster said. “This will be a significant challenge and we are determined to grow after a solid start to the Rugby Championship in Argentina last week.
"It has been four years since we last played South Africa here in New Zealand so that also makes it special.”
Center Jordie Barrett will play his 50th test in a lineup which the All Blacks clearly think is their strongest at this stage of the season.
"The fact that this game sold out over a month ago shows that fans are clearly up for it,” Foster said.
Meanwhile, Springboks captain Eben Etzebeth is in doubt for the match because of family reasons. Etzebeth was named to play for the first time since injuring his shoulder in April.
The South Africa team contains 10 of 14 players who were sent on ahead to New Zealand and missed the Springboks 43-12 win over Australia last weekend.
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New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Braydon Ennor, Caleb Clarke.
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Pieter Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.
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