All Blacks bring in star trio for Bok showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has revealed his matchday squad to face the Springboks in the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in Johannesburg.
Loose forward and captain Ardie Savea, scrumhalf Cam Roigard and outside back Will Jordan will make their first appearance of the tour against the Springboks on Saturday.
Damian McKenzie has also returned from injury to start at fullback.
Savea and hooker Codie Taylor are playing their 110th Tests.
It will be Savea’s 18th Test against South Africa and Taylor’s 17th. Anton Segner and Josh Moorby will be playing South Africa for the first time.
“After all the build-up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first Test underway,” Rennie said.
“We have selected a balanced mix of big-match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first Test.
“The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play.
“We know the Test series will be a huge step up. We’re well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear.
“They are number one in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday.”
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Venue: 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT; 03.10 NZST Sunday, August 23)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
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