Foster makes two changes for semifinal
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks coach Ian Foster made two changes to the side that will face Argentina in the semifinal on Friday.
Two personnel changes and one positional switch to the team that took part in last week’s quarterfinal was made.
Samuel Whitelock and Brodie Retallick have switched roles within the match day 23 while Mark Tele’a and Samisoni Taukei’aho are the new faces, coming in for Leicester Fainga’anuku and Dane Coles.
“World Cup playoffs are a series of finals,” said head coach Ian Foster. “We know that the intensity only increases as you progress through the knockout stages and we are preparing accordingly.
“We have received amazing support from our country and fans. The atmosphere at our games has been tremendous and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of that.
“The team is determined to give it everything in this special occasion against Argentina who are a quality team with a proven record in Rugby World Cup playoff games. We are very respectful of that.”
Another sellout crowd of 80,000 fans is expected in Saint-Denis for what will be the third World Cup encounter between the two sides, and their second in the knockout stages.
The teams met earlier this year in Mendoza, where the All Blacks opened the Test season with a 41-12 win at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Tele’a, 11 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax , 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
Date: Friday, October 20
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.00 (19.00 GMT, 16.00 ART, Saturday, October 21, 8.00 NZDT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
