All Blacks team named to play the Lions
Kick off 7.00PM local time (5.00AM Wednesday 26 August NZT), LIVE on Sky Sport. Highlights available on allblacks.com and the All Blacks and Black Ferns app.
All Blacks match-day 23
Test caps and non-Test games in brackets. * indicates new All Black:
1. Siale Lauaki (0, 2)
2. Samisoni Taukei'aho (44, 2)
3. Pasilio Tosi (17, 2)
4. Sam Darry (10, 2)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (57, 4) - Captain
6. Wallace Sititi (21, 2)
7. Ethan Blackadder (14, 2)
8. Semisi Ta'eiloa (0, 1)
9. Noah Hotham (3, 0)
10. Richie Mo'unga (56, 1)
11. Emoni Narawa (4, 2)
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (2, 2)
13. Rieko Ioane (88, 2)
14. Fehi Fineanganofo (1, 2)
15. Beauden Barrett (144, 3)
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater (0, 1)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (68, 2)
18. Saula Ma'u *
19. Jamie Hannah (1, 0)
20. Peter Lakai (11, 2)
21. Kyle Preston (2, 3)
22. Josh Jacomb (0, 2)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (91, 3)
Saula Ma'u set to make his All Blacks debut
Prop Saula Ma’u will play his first game for the All Blacks. It’s a quick return to the All Blacks for injury cover players, 68-Test prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah, who flew in to join the squad yesterday, with the duo named on the bench. Meanwhile, returning All Black Richie Mo’unga dons the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while halfback Noah Hotham also returns for his first appearance for the All Blacks in 2026.
Kyle Preston starts off the bench to become the only player to have played every game so far on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. Peter Lakai and Anton Lienert-Brown, who played in the All Blacks first Test at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday, will also back up against the Lions.
WATCH: All Blacks Coach Dave Rennie and Captain Ardie Savea react to the first Test victory over South Africa
The side will again be captained by lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate Saula on making his All Blacks debut. It will be a special day for him and his family,” Rennie said.
“With the naming of this matchday 23, everyone currently in the squad will have played on tour, which is great for creating depth and competition for places in the Test team.
“I’ve been impressed with the way that all players in our squad have responded to the quick turnaround between games. The Lions match comes just three days after the first Test match but everyone has been involved in preparing this team to play.
“We know we will have to be at our very best again to prepare for what we know will be another physical match against a Lions side that has been lying in wait.”
MATCH FACTS
Tuesday's match will be an historic first encounter between the Lions and the All Blacks. The All Blacks played the Lions predecessor Transvaal selection sides eight times between 1928 and 1976. The locals won the very first match 6-0, with the All Blacks winning the next seven.
The 1928 match was the very first game ever played at Ellis Park, and helped establish the legacy for what is one of world rugby’s most iconic grounds.
