All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named his strongest team possible for their clash with South Africa on Saturday.
The main selection question people were looking for Hansen to answer was where Beauden would start, and he has chosen to put the former World Player of the Year at full-back with Richie Mo’Unga at fly-half.
Scott Barrett also makes a return to the line-up for the first time since his controversial red-card against the Wallabies. While Sam Cane, Dane Coles and Aaron Smith also coming in as changes to the side that demolished Tonga 92-7 two weeks’ ago.
With that in mind it means that Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala join Coles in the front-row, with Sam Whitelock partnering Barrett in the second-row.
The back-three of the pack looks formidable with Cane and Ardie Savea on either flank and Kieran Read captaining the team from No 8.
Smith and Mo’Unga link-up in the half-backs, while Ryan Crotty continues his return from injury at inside-centre has Anton Lienert-Brown alongside him in the midfield.
George Bridge and Sevu Reece are on the wings with Barrett concluding the side at full-back.
There are star names among the replacements too with the likes of Codie Taylor, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams and Ben Smith all ready to make an impact off the bench.
Hansen has made a point that the bench will be key throughout the tournament and he is excited that they are kicking-off their title defence against a rival team.
“In today’s rugby environment, you need to have the mindset that it’s not just about who starts, it’s also about what the players coming off the bench can provide. As an example, we have a great one-two punch with Dane and Codie at hooker and Aaron and TJ at halfback. The challenge of playing one of our oldest and most respected foes in the opening Test of RWC2019 has us excited and energised by what lies ahead. Each time we play South Africa, it’s a tight battle and a real arm wrestle. To perform at our very best, we’ll have to play with real clarity, intent, energy and clear heads. Both teams will have their moments and it’ll be our job to ensure we limit theirs and take full opportunity of our,” he said.
This clash is expected to be the defining battle as to who finishes top of their pool as both are expected to defeat Italy, Namibia and Canada in the other pool fixtures, but whoever wins on Saturday will feel a huge boost in their quest to win the Webb Ellis Cup.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody
Replacements:
Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Shannon Frizell, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith
