The Chiefs midfielder is one of four changes to the matchday 23 which beat Australia 42-8 in Sydney in the opening match of the Rugby Championship last weekend.
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Beauden Barrett retains the number 10 jersey after a stellar performance in Sydney, while hooker Dane Coles is elevated to the starting XV after recovering from a rib injury. Julian Savea, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13.
Prop Wyatt Crockett set to play his 50th Test from the bench.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said of Lienert-Brown’s selection: “He had a very good Super (Rugby) season with strong performances throughout and we expect him to take the step up”.
“We are also proud to support community rugby by sponsoring the Air New Zealand Rippa Rugby Championship and helping develop the next generation of All Blacks legends and it’s been great to see Kieran cheering on these young rugby players”, says Mr Luxon. “It’ll be a special night for Anton on Saturday and he and his family can be proud of what he has achieved”.
Ben Smith will swap positions with Israel Dagg to play fullback, with Dagg moving to the right flank. That’s also a special milestone for an All Black.
Reserves: 16. James Parsons, 17. “Crocky is the ultimate team man who has worked hard throughout his career”, Hansen said.
Cheika dismissed criticism of his selection of veteran backs Will Genia, Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper, brought back from France under the “Giteau rule” which he introduced ahead of the World Cup to add vital experience to his squad.
In order to ensure there are no slip-ups this year Kaino said the team considered themselves back at “square one”. It’s totally a mental thing, so that is something we’ve been working really hard on this week: getting our feet back on the ground and our attitudes right for what is going to be a really physical and demanding test.
“Probably the biggest. It’s a big stage and it’s a big challenge for us”, Cheika told the Australian Associated Press on Tuesday. “We have got the mindset that we haven’t done anything, that we haven’t achieved anything”.
“We really want to make sure that we can put in a performance that we’re proud of”.
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The Wallabies’ poor defence can be fixed as they try to salvage the Bledisloe Cup in this week’s pivotal second Test against the All Blacks, assistant coach Nathan Grey said Monday.
