Fiji-born winger Sevu Reece has been rested as Coach Scott Robertson makes four changes to the All Blacks starting lineup for the second Test against Argentina. Former captain Sam Cane has also been included on the bench.
In response to last weekend’s 38-30 upset loss, Robertson has opted to change three backs and one forward for the match at Auckland’s Eden Park. Prolific wing Will Jordan, who came off the bench in the previous defeat, will replace Reece on the right wing, while Caleb Clarke takes over on the left from Blues teammate Mark Tele’a. Rieko Ioane, an experienced centre from the Blues, has been recalled to replace Anton Lienert-Brown.
In the forward pack, Tamaiti Williams comes in as loose-head prop for Ethan de Groot, who is sidelined with a neck injury. De Groot is among a growing injury list that also includes captain Scott Barrett (finger), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Stephen Perofeta (calf), and Luke Jacobson (hamstring).
Cane makes a return to the bench, despite announcing that he plans to retire from international rugby at the year’s end to join the Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath. The 32-year-old last played for the All Blacks as skipper in the World Cup final against South Africa last October, where he received a red card for a high tackle in the narrow 12-11 loss.
The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in 30 years, and they have accumulated nearly 50 Test victories at the renowned venue. The match is set to kick off at 7.05 pm.
New Zealand (15-1): 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: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a.