Head coach Scott Robertson has recalled Scott Barrett to lead a settled New Zealand outfit against the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Barrett, who missed New Zealand’s shock loss to Argentina in Wellington on 17 August as well as the Kiwis’ emphatic win over Los Pumas two weeks ago with a finger injury, returns to face the Boks in the first of two Tests in the Republic between the old foes in the 2024 Rugby Championship.
The powerful lock slots into the second row alongside Tupou Vaa’i, with Sam Darry making way for Barrett. Darry and utility forward Samipeni Finau are named as the two changes on the bench.
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Former skipper Sam Cane, meanwhile, replaces the injured Dalton Papali’i (thumb) and will start at No 7 for the first time since being sent off against the Boks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Cane forms a formidable loose trio with the versatile Ethan Blackadder and reigning World Player of the Year Ardie Savea, who relinquishes the captain’s armband.
In what will be his first Test as New Zealand head coach against the Boks, Robertson has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes and has named an unchanged front row and backline.
“To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for, we will embrace the occasion,” Robertson said.
“We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue.”
New Zealand – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Subs: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.
Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
The post All Blacks get Barrett boost for Bok duel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
