Barrett returns for All Blacks tour opener against Stormers
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play the Stormers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday in the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb look set to make their All Blacks debut from the bench.
Meanwhile, seven other All Blacks will be making their first appearance in the black jersey this year, forwards Ollie Norris, Fabian Holland, Simon Parker and Ethan Blackadder; and Kyle Preston, Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane in the backs.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the All Blacks for the second time after previously captaining the side against Japan in October 2024.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate the new All Blacks Siale and Josh. It will be a very exciting and proud day for them and their families,” Head Coach Dave Rennie said.
“We’ve had a great welcome in Cape Town and we’re excited to get this tour underway.
“We are really pleased with how our leaders, including match day captain Patrick and tour captain Codie, have prepared the group. We can’t wait for Friday.
“We’re well aware of how good this Stormers side is. They made the semifinals of the United Rugby Championship last year and they are a big, physical side with a mix of talented youngsters and Springboks, so we are preparing for a real war of attrition.”
New Zealand: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Leinert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke
Date: Friday, August 7
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.00 SAST (17.00 GMT; 05.00 NZST Saturday, August 8)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)