Mo'unga gets his RGR shot at Ellis Park
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play the Lions at 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, August 25 in the final franchise match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Prop Saula Ma’u will play his first game for the All Blacks. It’s a quick return to the All Blacks for injury cover players, 68-Test prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah, who flew in to join the squad yesterday, with the duo named on the bench.
Meanwhile, returning All Black Richie Mo’unga dons the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while halfback Noah Hotham also returns for his first appearance for the All Blacks in 2026.
Kyle Preston starts off the bench to become the only player to have played every game so far on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. Peter Lakai and Anton Lienert-Brown, who played in the All Blacks first Test at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday, will also back up against the Lions.
The side will again be captained by lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate Saula on making his All Blacks debut. It will be a special day for him and his family,” Rennie said.
“With the naming of this matchday 23, everyone currently in the squad will have played on tour, which is great for creating depth and competition for places in the Test team.
“I’ve been impressed with the way that all players in our squad have responded to the quick turnaround between games. The Lions match comes just three days after the first Test match but everyone has been involved in preparing this team to play.
“We know we will have to be at our very best again to prepare for what we know will be another physical match against a Lions side that has been lying in wait.”
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Rieko Ioane , 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Emoni Narawa, 10 Richi Mo’unga, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Sam Darry, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Siale Lauaki
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Date: Tuesday, August 25
Venue: Ellis Park, Johanneburg
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT; August 26, 05.00 NZT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
