The All Blacks have returned to their strongest available side for Saturday’s meeting with Wales at the Principality Stadium.
After selecting a number of squad players for last weekend’s 38-31 victory over Japan in Tokyo, they have wheeled out the big guns for the Cardiff clash. They have largely reverted to the side which beat Australia in the final Rugby Championship match at Auckland’s Eden Park in September.
One notable absentee is 99-cap second row Brodie Retallick, who has been banned for two matches following his red card against Japan. Regular captain Sam Cane is also missing, having headed home after suffering a fractured cheekbone in Tokyo. Hugely-experienced lock Sam Whitelock takes over as skipper, with Dalton Papali’i stepping in for Cane on the openside flank.
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The versatile Jordie Barrett, normally a full-back, starts just his second Test at inside centre, joining Rieko Ioane in midfield. Aaron Smith returns at scrum-half, so will surpass Dan Carter as the most-capped back in All Blacks history, playing his 113th Test.
Richie Mo’unga starts at No. 10, with Beauden Barrett named at full-back, while Scott Barrett packs down at lock meaning all three Barrett brothers are starting.
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Head coach Ian Foster said: “Playing Wales on the road always represents an exciting challenge. We have a number of players returning to the side and we know we will need to play with a high intensity against this physical Welsh team.”
Foster has confirmed that winger Will Jordan will not feature on tour due to a persisting vestibular issue.
New Zealand: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Aaron Smith, 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Samuel Whitelock (capt), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. David Havili, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.
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