The All Blacks have rung the changes for their final showdown with South Africa, with Richie Mo’unga returning to the starting side and veteran hooker Codie Taylor handed the captaincy as New Zealand attempts to square the four-Test series in Baltimore.
Head coach Dave Rennie has made several changes for the fourth and final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at M&T Bank Stadium, with injuries and illness forcing a significant reshuffle after last weekend’s encounter in Soweto.
The All Blacks face the Springboks at 5pm Saturday 12 September Baltimore time, with kick-off at 9am Sunday in New Zealand. The All Blacks website lists the NZ date as 13 August, but the tour schedule confirms the match is 13 September NZT.
MO’UNGA HANDED THE KEYS
One of the biggest selection calls is the return of Richie Mo’unga at first-five, making his first Test start of the series.
He will combine with Cam Roigard in the halves, while Damian McKenzie moves to fullback.
Josh Moorby starts on the left wing, Will Jordan remains on the right, while Jordie Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown form an experienced midfield combination.
Lienert-Brown is another player making his first Test start of the series.
TAYLOR TAKES THE CAPTAINCY
With regular captain Ardie Savea ruled out through injury, Codie Taylor returns to the starting side at hooker and will lead the All Blacks.
Taylor packs down between Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell, with Newell promoted to the starting tighthead role and Tyrel Lomax moving to the bench.
Patrick Tuipulotu returns to start alongside Sam Darry at lock.
The reshuffle sees Tupou Vaa’i move to blindside flanker, joining Ethan Blackadder and Peter Lakai in a new-look loose forward combination.
INJURIES FORCE RENNIE’S HAND
New Zealand will be without Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea, who have all been ruled out through injury, while Fabian Holland is unavailable through illness.
Blackadder, Newell, Tuipulotu, Mo’unga and Lienert-Brown will consequently make their first Test starts of the series.
Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord have also returned to the match-day squad after successfully progressing through World Rugby concussion protocols following injuries suffered during the opening Test.
EXPERIENCE WAITING ON THE BENCH
Rennie has loaded his reserves with significant experience.
Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax provide the front-row cover, with Josh Lord and Wallace Sititi completing the forward replacements.
Kyle Preston covers halfback, while Rieko Ioane and 144-Test veteran Beauden Barrett provide considerable firepower among the backline replacements.
ALL BLACKS STARTING XV
The All Blacks will start with Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Richie Mo’unga, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie.
The reserves are Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane and Beauden Barrett.
EVERYTHING ON THE LINE IN AMERICA
The historic encounter will be the first rugby union Test ever staged at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
It will also mark the first time the All Blacks and Springboks have played each other on United States soil.
For New Zealand, the equation is straightforward.
Rennie’s side has one final opportunity to finish an exhausting seven-week tour by drawing the series against their greatest rivals.
And after injuries, bruising battles across South Africa and seven matches on tour, the All Blacks are throwing experience back into the starting side for one final shot.
Baltimore is the last stand — beat the Springboks and New Zealand squares the series.
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