Ardie Savea will earn his 100th cap in the All Blacks’ massive Eden Park Test against the Springboks, but they are down to the bare bones at scrum-half.
The back-rower, who has shifted from number eight to openside flanker this year, will reach the milestone in one of the most eagerly anticipated games since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Savea will line up alongside Simon Parker at flanker, which allows Wallace Sititi to come in at the base of the scrum to complete the loose trio.
“Ardie embodies everything that makes an All Black. He brings an extraordinary level of passion, leadership, and mana every time he pulls on the jersey,” head coach Scott Robertson said.
“We will honour his milestone with a performance that reflects not just his quality on the field, but the example he sets every day.”
New partner for the captain
The Tupou Vaa’i blindside experiment is over for now, with the Chiefs star moving back to his favoured position at lock, alongside captain Scott Barrett in the engine room.
A front-row of Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor and Ethan de Groot completes the pack, with Tyrel Lomax fit enough for a place on the bench.
Behind the scrum, the All Blacks’ issues at half-back continue after Cortez Ratima was ruled out of the Springboks encounter.
That means they are down to their fourth choice, Finlay Christie, who was not named in the initial 36-man squad and was instead there as injury cover.
Christie came on against Argentina in Buenos Aires and impressed but at one stage it appeared as though his international career was over.
He now gets an opportunity to start against the back-to-back world champions with rookie Kyle Preston potentially making his Test debut off the bench.
“Ardie is one of three centurions in the match day 23 to play South Africa, while Kyle Preston is joined by three other players who have debuted for the All Blacks this year,” Robertson said.
“As with all of our debutants, we know that Kyle will rise to the challenge in the black jersey. He is a skilful player who has proven his ability to drive a game and make smart decisions in pressure moments.”
The rest of the backline sees Christie partner Beauden Barrett in the decision-making slots, while Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor are the centre partnership.
Like Proctor, Rieko Ioane has been given a reprieve by Robertson and has not been replaced for this clash, but Sevu Reece is not so lucky. As a result, Emoni Narawa has come into that back three to join Ioane and Will Jordan.
On the bench, the head coach has opted for a 5-3 split, which is boosted by the return of the fit-again Lomax. Alongside Samisoni Taukei’aho and Tamaiti Williams, they have an imposing front-row trio ready to make an impact in the second period.
Fabian Holland and Du’Plessis Kirifi are the remaining forward cover, while backs Preston, Quinn Tupaea and Damian McKenzie complete the 23.
All Blacks team to face Springboks
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:05 local (09:05 SAST, 08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
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