All Blacks name team for second Test in RGR
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his team, featuring several changes from the side that won the first Test in Johannesburg last weekend to play the Springboks in the second Test of...
George Bower, who made an impact off the bench last week, comes in for Ethan de Groot who is still undergoing HIA protocols, together with lock Josh Lord. Tupou Vaa’i moves to the second row, replacing Lord, with Simon Parker in the six jersey.
Xavier Numia comes into the 23 providing prop cover, while Patrick Tuipulotu is lock cover.
In the backs, there is just one positional switch from last week’s team, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby swapping positions. Carter starts in the 11 jersey and Moorby is outside back cover in the 23 jersey.
“While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend,” Rennie said.
“We’ve played four Tests this year and are still growing as a group. I’m really excited about the competition for places and the performances of the squad across the matches here in South Africa, and we’re really looking forward to this weekend.”
**All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets):**
15 Damian McKenzie (78)
14 Will Jordan (58)
13 Quinn Tupaea (27)
12 Jordie Barrett (82)
11 Leroy Carter (8)
10 Ruben Love (9)
9 Cam Roigard (21)
8 Ardie Savea (captain, 110)
7 Luke Jacobson (28)
6 Simon Parker (9)
5 Tupou Vaa’i (48)
4 Fabian Holland (13)
3 Tyrel Lomax (52)
2 Codie Taylor (110)
1 George Bower (27)
**Replacements:**
16 Asafo Aumua (23)
17 Xavier Numia (2)
18 Fletcher Newell (38)
19 Patrick Tuipulotu (57)
20 Peter Lakai (11)
21 Kyle Preston (2)
22 Anton Lienert-Brown (91)
23 Josh Moorby (3)
Furthermore, World Rugby has confirmed updated Emirates Match Official appointments for the Cape Town Test. Angus Gardner (Australia) will now referee this weekend's clash as Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) has not recovered from illness.
Brett Cronan (Australia) will act as his Television Match Official with Eric Gauzins (France) becoming Foul Play Review Officer and Sam Grove-White (Scotland) replacing Gardner as an assistant referee.
**The updated appointments are:**
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referee 1: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referee 2: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Source: Original report at SA Rugby.