All Blacks lose another wing
TEAM UPDATE: All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has been forced into making a late change for the final Test against France on Saturday.
All Blacks unititly back Rieko Ioane will miss the third Test against France due to a tight hamstring, New Zealand confirmed via an official statment.
Ioane was initially set to start on the left wing.
However, his absence means that Robertson will bring in Crusaders star Will Jordan to the starting XV.
Jordan will start at the ring wing, while Sevu Reece moves to the left.
Jordie Barrett provides cover on the bench.
After having only named two specialist wings in the original squad for the France series, the All Blacks have been forced to make changes and adjustments every week of the series so far.
Blues and All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke was ruled out last weekend prior to the Test in Wellington, after an injury to his lower leg in training.
Clarke’s lower leg injury is set to keep him out for up to eight weeks, meaning he will miss the two Argentina Tests in the Rugby Championship.
Emoni Narawa is the only other specialist wing in camp, but he was also only named as injury cover for Anton Lienert-Brown when the first squad was announced by Robertson.
New Zealand – revised: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dalton Papali’i, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.05 (09.05 French time; 07.05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Damian Schneider (Argentina) & Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)