Fiji-born winger Sevu Reece has been rested as All Blacks Coach Scott Robertson makes four changes to the starting lineup for their second Test against Argentina. The adjustments follow last weekend’s 38-30 loss, prompting Robertson to make modifications to three backs and one forward for the match at Eden Park in Auckland.
Will Jordan, who previously came off the bench in the Wellington defeat, will take Reece’s place on the right wing. Caleb Clarke is set to replace Mark Tele’a on the left wing. Rieko Ioane, an experienced center from the Blues, returns to the lineup in place of Anton Lienert-Brown.
In the forward pack, Tamaiti Williams takes over the loose-head prop position for Ethan de Groot, who is sidelined due to a neck injury. De Groot is among a growing injury list which also includes captain Scott Barrett (finger), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Stephen Perofeta (calf), and Luke Jacobson (hamstring).
Sam Cane has been called up to the bench despite announcing his retirement from international rugby at the end of this year, as he prepares to join Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath. The 95-Test veteran last played for the All Blacks as captain in the World Cup final last October, where he received a red card in the narrow 12-11 defeat to South Africa.
The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in 30 years, amassing nearly 50 Test victories at the iconic venue. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.05pm.
New Zealand’s lineup includes: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea (captain), Dalton Papali’i, Ethan Blackadder; Sam Darry, Tupou Vaai; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements include: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a.