New skipper for All Blacks as Rennie rings changes for Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play the Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Tuesday, August 11.
Bradley Slater’s All Blacks career is off to a whirlwind start, with the hooker flying in to join the squad just five days ago as a replacement for the injured George Bell. Slater is set to make his All Blacks debut from the bench alongside loose forward Semisi Ta’eiloa.
Meanwhile, seven players from the All Blacks team that beat the Stormers 38-21 on Friday have again been named in the 23 for this second match of the tour.
Hooker Asafo Aumua, lock Sam Darry, halfback Kyle Preston, and wing Caleb Clarke, who all came off the bench against the Stormers, will start against the Sharks.
Prop Pasilio Tosi, who started in the Stormers game, will provide impact from the bench, alongside fellow prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Ethan Blackadder, who get their second bench start of the tour.
Luke Jacobson will captain the All Blacks for the first time.
“Luke is the obvious choice to captain the team against the Sharks. He is highly respected, has a great feel for the game and will lead through his actions,” Head Coach Dave Rennie said.
“Two more players will pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time against the Sharks.
“On behalf of the whole squad, I want to congratulate Semisi and Bradley on achieving this very special milestone, and I know their family and friends will be incredibly proud.
“The opening match gave the players a real introduction to the way that South African teams play and the Sharks will be no different.
“With a short turnaround between games, today has been a big day of preparation. There is a lot of excitement in the group, with the majority of the squad about to play their first game of the tour.”
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Kyle Preston, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa
Date: Tuesday, August 11
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00; 17.00 GMT
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
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