All Blacks lose their enforcer
New Zealand were dealt a big blow ahead of their Rugby Championship encounter with South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The loss of their enforcer, star lock Brodie Retallick, could prove to be a body blow for the All Blacks, as they look to go through the competition unbeaten for a third successive year.
The starting XV features just two injury-enforced changes from the team that claimed their third Rugby Championship title, when they Argentina last week.
Both changes are among the forwards.
Jeremy Thrush gets his second start against South Africa this year, replacing Retallick – who failed to recover from the concussion he suffered in the 34-13 victory over Argentina last week in La Plata.
Prop Joe Moody will also make his first Test start, coming in for Wyatt Crockett – who received a bad cut under his eye that required stitches.
On the replacement bench Dane Coles returns – after re-joining the team in South Africa following, the birth of his son.
Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Liam Messam also come onto the bench.
Among the back replacement Tawera Kerr-Barlow gets his first opportunity in the Rugby Championship, while Ryan Crotty comes in for Cory Jane – who has a hamstring strain.
New Zealand wrapped up their third successive Rugby Championship title with last week's bonus-point victory, though coach Steve Hansen said that was immaterial when it came to All Blacks and Springboks matches.
"This weekend is shaping up to be another classic All Blacks-Springboks Test match, with the two top teams in the world going head to head again on the Boks' home patch," Hansen said.
"Even though we have won the Rugby Championship, this is the game we always look forward to playing each year.
"It's a massive challenge which will be spurred on by a huge amount of personal and team pride.
"This group has always believed that enhancing the legacy of the All Blacks is one of its overriding responsibilities, so we will be looking to put in another quality performance on the park.
"However, we know we will be up against a desperate and determined South African team who will be under a lot of pressure to win, which will make them a very dangerous and formidable opponent."
Hansen also paid tribute to All Black Captain Richie McCaw, who will this weekend set a new record for most matches played for the All Blacks – 134.
"On behalf of myself and the team, I would like to congratulate Richie on the achievement.
"He is a special player who has played each and every one of those games with a huge amount of commitment, passion and mental fortitude.
"This is reflected in his unwavering will to win and shown by the fact he has won an incredible 89 percent of all his matches."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Ryan Crotty.
Date: Saturday, October 4
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT; 04.00, Sunday, October 5 NZ time)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), JP Doyle (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
