All Blacks v Wallabies: Dave Rennie makes several changes for Bledisloe Cup finale
With the Bledisloe Cup locked away for another year, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named a new-look side for the second test against the Wallabies in Sydney.
Rennie and his fellow selectors have named eight changes to the matchday 23 who claimed a 50-19 win at Eden Park, though just three of those are in the run-on XV.
George Bower will start at loosehead prop, Fabian Holland returns to start at lock, while Josh Moorby starts on the left wing with Leroy Carter ruled out due to injury.
There is plenty of change on the bench, with only three returning players this week.
Samisoni Taukei’aho and Xavier Numia will provide cover at hooker and loosehead respectively, Du’Plessis Kirifi makes his All Blacks return as loose forward cover, Cortez Ratima will back up Cam Roigard at halfback, while midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai has also been added to the 23.
They join tighthead prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and versatile back Rieko Ioane on the bench.
“Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line,” Rennie said.
“We put in a performance befitting the occasion. Now we need to back that performance up.
“The Wallabies are a proud side and they’ll be hurting after last week. It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”
The All Blacks will again operate with Damian McKenzie at first five-eighths and Beauden Barrett at fullback, while Tupou Vaa’i resumes his role at blindside flanker in the loose trio alongside Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi.
Alongside Carter, hooker Asafo Aumua and loose forward Anton Segner were among the six unavailable due to injury, while Ethan de Groot, Josh Lord and Kyle Preston were not selected.
All Blacks: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Rieko Ioane.
Unavailable to injury: Leroy Carter (ankle); Anton Segner (concussion); Asafo Aumua (concussion); Ethan Blackadder (calf); Richie Mo’unga (calf); Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring).