Scott Robertson has made two enforced changes to his starting All Blacks XV to tackle France in the second Test match at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out for the remainder of the series against the French which means that Ardie Savea will skipper the team in the second Test match with Jordie Barrett named as vice-captain.
Enforced changes
Lock Barrett has been replaced in the starting XV by Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who will earn his 52nd Test cap for the All Blacks, while there is a further change in the backs after Sevu Reece sustained a concussion in the early knockings of Test 1.
Caleb Clarke comes into the starting lineup, which means that Rieko Ioane shifts from the left wing to the right to accommodate the Blues winger in an otherwise unchanged backline.
Will Jordan completes the back-three along with Clarke and Ioane, while Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor are named in the centres. Beauden Barrett and Cam Roigard combine in the halfbacks once again.
Into the back and captain Savea is accompanied by number eight Christian Lio-Willie, who earns his second cap, and blindside flanker Tupou Vaa’i.
Netherlands-born Fabien Holland also earns a second start in the locks alongside Tuipulotu, while the front row is unchanged with Codie Taylor earning his 98th Test cap and is flanked by loosehead Ethan de Groot and tighthead Fletcher Newell.
On the bench, Robertson has opted for the starting 5-3 split with Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi, Samipeni Finau, and Du’Plessis Kirifi retaining their roles from Test one in the back.
However, there is a change in the backline replacements with the addition of debutant Timoci Tavatavanawai, who has been dubbed ‘Ma’a Nonu on steroids’, replacing Quinn Tupaea. Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie complete the matchday 23.
“Test series are a unique and exciting opportunity. Both teams now have a better idea of what they’re going to get on Saturday night, and both will lift for this next occasion. We know where we need to improve,” Robertson said.
“It is also awesome to be part of a double-header with the Black Ferns, who will take on Australia at 4:30pm. We’ve enjoyed connecting with the team this week and know they will put on a spectacle for the fans at Sky Stadium, in their last domestic game before the Rugby World Cup.”
All Blacks team to face France
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Damian McKenzie
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Sevu Reece (concussion); Scott Barrett (calf)
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (RA), Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (RA)