Fiji-born winger Sevu Reece has been rested as Coach Scott Robertson makes four adjustments to the All Blacks starting lineup for their upcoming second Test against Argentina. Former captain Sam Cane has also been named among the substitutes.
In response to last weekend’s surprising 38-30 defeat, Robertson has opted to change three backs and one forward for the match taking place tonight at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Will Jordan, a standout try-scorer who came off the bench during the loss in Wellington, will step in for Reece on the right wing. Caleb Clarke will replace his Blues teammate Mark Tele’a on the left wing. Rieko Ioane returns to the lineup, taking the place of Anton Lienert-Brown in the center.
On the forward front, Tamaiti Williams will start at loose-head prop, substituting for Ethan de Groot, who is sidelined due to a neck injury. De Groot is part of an 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 his retirement from international rugby at the end of this year to join the Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath. The 32-year-old’s last appearance for the All Blacks was as captain in the World Cup final last October, where he received a red card for a high tackle in a narrow 12-11 defeat to South Africa.
The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in 30 years, accumulating close to 50 Test victories at the historic venue.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:05 PM.
New Zealand’s starting lineup: 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 Vaa’i; 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.