'New' leader for All Blacks amid injury woes
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has made three changes to his team that will take on Scotland this Saturday at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium.
The team’s win over Ireland came at a heavy cost with Scott Barrett (leg laceration) and Jordie Barrett (high ankle) not available for this weekend.
The Barrett brother’s absence will see Josh Lord and Leicester Fainga’anuku get a start at lock and centre respectively.
hat sees Sam Darry enter the 23 as lock cover, while the midfield reshuffle means Quinn Tupaea will start at second-five and Billy Proctor will come onto the bench.
The only other change to the line-up that beat Ireland in Chicago is in the loose forwards, with Wallace Sititi starting at blindside flanker this week and Du’Plessis Kirifi coming into the side in an impact role.
Ardie Savea will captain the side on Saturday in Edinburgh, with Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett on vice-captain duties.
Scotland will be celebrating 100 years of international rugby at Murrayfield with this Test, while the All Blacks will be aiming to retain their 120-year winning streak against Scotland. All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said these records will add to the occasion and give both teams plenty of motivation heading into the match.
“We are honoured to be part of the 100th anniversary of rugby at Murrayfield, it will be a special occasion,” Robertson said.
“We have a proud history with Scotland and recent games between us have been close.
“We have named the best team to reflect the challenge we know Scotland will present.”
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Damian McKenzie.
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 15.10 (15.10 GMT; 04.10 Sunday, November 9 NZT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (France) & Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South AFrica)
