All Blacks v Scotland: Five changes to Dave Rennie’s team
Liam Napier in Edinburgh
All Blacks v Scotland – 3.10am, Sunday
Five squad changes, yet All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has selected his strongest available team for Scotland in Edinburgh this weekend.
Scotland have never defeated the All Blacks in 33 tests since 1905 but Rennie is, clearly, taking no chances for Sunday morning’s (NZT) rematch at Murrayfield as the team seeks to push for the Nations Championship final.
The hefty injury toll stemming from the All Blacks’ gruelling season has stripped the team of nine players, including Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Caleb Clarke, Ruben Love and Tyrel Lomax, for the remainder of the year.
This week, though, Rennie welcomes second-five Jordie Barrett, front rowers Ethan de Groot and Asafo Aumua and loose forward Anton Segner back from injury.
With Tupou Vaa’i continuing at blindside alongside the in-form Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi, Christian Lio-Willie completes the changes from the last win over the Wallabies to earn his first appearance for the All Blacks from the bench this season.
Timoci Tavatavanawai, after starting against the Wallabies in place of the injured Barrett, has edged Anton Lienert-Brown on the bench too.
Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo and Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston are unlucky exclusions, with Josh Moorby retained on the left wing after a strong performance in the second Bledisloe victory in Sydney, and Cortez Ratima preferred as cover for Cam Roigard.
The Damian McKenzie-Beauden Barrett playmaking axis that sparked the All Blacks attack against the Wallabies continues at Murrayfield.
Richie Mo’unga waits in the wings, with his return from a calf complaint expected to come next weekend against Wales.
The All Blacks will wear their white jersey featuring a poppy in recognition of Armistice Day, along with black armbands in memory of head of security Logan Cadwallader, who died in Edinburgh on Sunday morning (local time).
“It’s been a really tough week for our group following the passing of Logan,” Rennie said. “He was one of us, and he will be very much in our thoughts as we take the field on Saturday. The boys have leaned on each other and prepared well, so we’re ready to go – we know that is what Logan would want and expect.
“Scotland are a quality side. They are very well coached and have built a lot of depth over recent years. They play a very similar brand of footy to us and we know we’ll need to be at our best on Saturday. Murrayfield is an iconic place to play so it will be a special occasion to kick off our northern tour.”
All Blacks team:
1. Ethan de Groot, 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
16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Christian Lio-Willie, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Rieko Ioane
Scotland team:
1.Rory Sutherland, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Gregor Brown, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Rory Darge (VC), 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Ben White, 10. Finn Russell, 11. Jamie Dobie, 12. Sione Tuipulotu (c), 13. Huw Jones, 14. Kyle Steyn (VC), 15. Kyle Rowe,
16. Gregor Hiddleston, 17. Pierre Schoeman, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Max Williamson, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. George Horne, 22. Tom Jordan, 23. Blair Kinghorn
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
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