The All Blacks have picked their strongest available line-up to face the Springboks in the first Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry test at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Coach Dave Rennie confirmed that the key players who were under an injury cloud - winger Will Jordan, scrumhalf Cam Roigard and fullback Damian McKenzie, who all had various niggles - have been declared fit and ready to face the double World Cup winning Springboks in the much-anticipated test on Saturday.
Jordan and Roigard have not played on the tour as yet, while McKenzie hobbled off after the game against the Sharks and missed the Bulls game as a result. Jordan was nursing a back injury and Roigard a calf injury, while McKenzie twisted his ankle against the Sharks.
The news that the trio are fit and ready will be a welcome boost to Rennie and his side as they face the World’s No 1 team
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Dave Rennie names his All Blacks team to face the Springboks in Test one of #RugbysGreatestRivalry at Ellis Park 🇳🇿🚨 pic.twitter.com/AtsXvOYWhn
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Also back in action is captain Ardie Savea, who was given time off and only joined up with the team last Thursday, arriving 10 days before the test in South Africa. Savea is a key player for the All Blacks as well.
Savea and hooker Codie Taylor are playing their 110th tests. It will be Savea’s 18th test against South Africa and Taylor’s 17th. Anton Segner and Josh Moorby will be playing South Africa for the first time.
“After all the build up and anticipation, our whole touring squad is excited to get this first test underway,” Rennie said.
“We have selected a balanced mix of big match, experienced players and younger players who have earned the right to play in this first test.
“The first three franchise games have exposed our newer players to the way South African teams play and have been fantastic in helping us build combinations and develop the game we want to play.
“We know the test series will be a huge step up. We’re well aware of what the Springboks will bring to the contest and the pressure that will come to bear. They are No 1 in the world, playing at their spiritual home in front of their passionate fans, so we will have to be at our very best on Saturday.”
As expected the experienced front row of Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax will front up to the Boks, while Josh Lord and Fabian Holland both have size at their disposal for the engine room. Savea is at eight with Luke Jacobson and Tupou Vaa’i alongside him giving the All Blacks their most physical pack on display.
Roigard partners eight test rookie Ruben Love while Josh Moorby claims the one wing spot with Jordan and McKenzie making up the back three. Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea will be in the midfield.
Anton Lienert-Brown stands out with 90 caps on the bench, where only the front row has more than 10. Asafo Aumua, George Bower and Fletcher Newell wil front up later in the game. Anton Segner and Peter Lakai’s form on tour has won them selection for a third and 11th cap respectively while Kyle Preston will get his second start in the black jersey.l
ALL BLACKS – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.