Rennie discusses All Black changes for Baltimore showdown
Richie Mo’unga will take the field in an All Black test match for the first time in nearly three years this weekend. The Canterbury first five has been named to start in the final test of the Rugbys Greatest Rivalry series, providing the biggest talking point in Dave Rennie’s selection.
However, Rennie stressed today at the team’s media conference that it was not an out of the blue decision for the fixture at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
"Regardless of the result at Soweto, whether we came here up 2-1 or down 2-1, we were gonna start Richie," said Rennie, who heaped praise on the man Mo’unga has replaced, Ruben Love.
"Last week was probably the biggest test the All Blacks have played since the World Cup final. And we trusted (Love) to run the ship ahead of probably three more experienced 10s. That highlights where we see him."
The depth created by Mo’unga’s recent return has been a massive positive, Rennie added.
"While they're competing, competing, competing against each other, they're also helping each other grow. Ruben's been really smart. He's got beside a lot of those guys and talked a lot of footy, and it's really good for our group."
Beauden Barrett moves onto the bench, the first time in this series that Rennie has named a specific first five back up in the reserves.
"It's been tough for Beauden. He's sat on the sidelines for the first six tests of the year, and he's been phenomenal. His contribution to the group has been excellent and he's trained really well, so it's awesome to give him an opportunity."
Mo’unga’s inclusion for his first test since the 2023 World Cup final will be a chance to play a leading role in an attempt to level the Greatest Rivalry series at two wins each. The attrition rate for the All Blacks has been high, with over 50 players used, but Rennie said the way the tour has brought the team together has been invaluable.
WATCH: All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie talks through the selections for the Baltimore Test
"Everyone talked about what a long tour it's gonna be, and it's just flown by. It's a real testament to the group, our staff and our players that everyone's still fully engaged. We're well aware that we're missing some key players, but it's a great opportunity for our guys to show how tight we are as a group."
Rennie named Codie Taylor as captain for the test, after Ardie Savea was forced to return home with a shoulder injury sustained during the third test. Fellow loose forward Luke Jacobson is also out injured, which has forced a reshuffle in the loose forwards.
"We've lost a fair bit of experience with injury with Luke and Ardie out,” said Rennie.
“When Ardie was captain, when he left the field, Luke took over. With both of them unavailable, we felt Codie coming back in, he's an excellent player, but gives us a lot of experience and leadership, and that's been really valuable throughout the week."
Rennie said that the Springboks will likely bring the same physical and kick-heavy gameplan they have all season.
"We know each other well. We're really clear on their DNA and how they wanna play. They'll be clear on what we wanna do, and it's a real contrasting type of style, which I think brings the intrigue."
The Boks have relied heavily on their set piece, however Rennie said the All Blacks still had some surprises in store for the weekend.
"There were things that we didn't utilise in the provincial games, 'cause we felt there was an opportunity against the Springboks and didn't wanna show our hand. Some of that's worked, and some of it they've changed their setup, probably anticipating that we'd do something."
The match kicks off at 9am Sunday morning NZT, with the crowd set to be a record for a rugby match in the USA.
WATCH: Go behind the scenes with the All Blacks in Soweto with the latest episode of Behind the Fern
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps and non-Test games in brackets):
1. Ethan de Groot (44)
2. Codie Taylor (111) - Captain
3. Fletcher Newell (40)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (58)
5. Sam Darry (11)
6. Tupou Vaa’i (50)
7. Ethan Blackadder (14)
8. Peter Lakai (13)
9. Cam Roigard (23)
10. Richie Mo’unga (56)
11. Josh Moorby (4)
12. Jordie Barrett (84)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (93)
14. Will Jordan (60)
15. Damian McKenzie (80)
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua (25)
17. Xavier Numia (4)
18. Tyrel Lomax (54)
19. Josh Lord (16)
20. Wallace Sititi (22)
21. Kyle Preston (4)
22. Rieko Ioane (88)
23. Beauden Barrett (144)
