Why this was Rennie's hardest All Blacks team to pick yet
At the All Blacks team press conference yesterday head coach Dave Rennie confirmed why the team to face the Wallabies this Saturday at Eden Park was so tough to nail.
Firstly, a fresh injury blow for Richie Mo'unga who had been pencilied in to start on Monday threw a spanner in the works, with the first-five suffering a calf strain. The pivot is also likely to miss the return test in Sydney next week.
That plus the continued absense of Ardie Savea and the need to manage the return to Test-level footy for Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell further complicated things.
The coach confirmed it required three selection meetings for the Three Wise Men 'Rens', 'Barnsy' and 'Ted' to come to a consensus, unprecedented thus far under this regime.
I'dsoonertalkaboutwhowe'vegotratherthanwhowehaven't,we'vestillgotareallygoodsquadhere,andareallygoodteamoutontheparkontheweekend.Dave Rennie
Rennie mentioned that thier final decision to start Tupou Vaa'i at blindside also had a flow-on effect elasewhere, with Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai confrimed to start at Number 8 and openside respectively, with the returning Shannon Frizell to come off the pine as he continues to build fitness for the challenges of top flight footy.
Anton Segner will provide additional legs in the loose, also named on the bench.
With Mo'unga down, the choice was made to name Damian McKenzie in the 10 jersey, while Test centurian Beauden Barrett earns another start in the 15 jersey, his 146th Test cap.
Rennie confirmed this was largely due to McKenzie having trained at lot at first-five, while Beauden Barret's most recent games have been at fullback. Both will play a role in the backfield and at first receiver.
Whatithighlightsistherewerealotoftoughdecisions,andguysthatmissedoutareverycloseDave Rennie
Watch: All Blacks Team Naming Press Conference
Elsewhere upfront, hooker Codie Taylor has been named captain and will start alongside Ethan De Groot and Fletcher Newell in the front row.
Scott Barrett makes his long awaited return and will also start and has been paired with Josh Lord in the second row.
He'sdonealotoftrainingpriortothosetwocameos,it'sarealcredithimDave Rennie on the return of Scott Barrett
On the substitues bench, the wrecking ball Asafo Aumua, George Bower and Pasilio Tosi will look to add impact early in the second half, as the All Blacks look to make improvements at setpiece.
Watch: Inside All Blacks Training Ahead of the Wallabies | Press Conference (Auckland)
Out wide few will be surprised to see record All Blacks try scorer Will Jordan named in the 14 jumper, with the illusive and effervescent Leroy Carter set to start on the left wing. Fehi Fineanganofo was unavailable after suffering a head knock in Bay of Plenty's final round NPC match last Sunday where he also unlucky to have picked up a hamstring niggle.
Likely some of the first names locked in at the first of those three selections meetings, Cam Roigard has been named at halfback, with Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea providing consistency in the midfield.
Kyle Preston and Rieko Ioane along with standout newcomer Josh Moorby will provide backs cover from the bench.
Follow the game with live updates, scores, stats and more in the Official All Blacks v Wallabies Match Centre.
Kick off 7.10PM NZT, LIVE on Sky Sport. Highlights available on allblacks.com and the All Blacks and Black Ferns app. Final release of tickets available HERE.
All Blacks Matchday 23 to tackle the Wallabies at Eden Park
- Ethan de Groot (45)
- Codie Taylor (112) – Captain
- Fletcher Newell (41)
- Scott Barrett (89)
- Josh Lord (17)
- Tupou Vaa'i (51)
- Peter Lakai (14)
- Wallace Sititi (23)
- Cam Roigard (24)
- Damian McKenzie (81)
- Leroy Carter (10)
- Jordie Barrett (85)
- Quinn Tupaea (29)
- Will Jordan (61)
- Beauden Barrett (145)
- Asafo Aumua (26)
- George Bower (29)
- Pasilio Tosi (17)
- Shannon Frizell (33)
- Anton Segner (2)
- Kyle Preston (5)
- Rieko Ioane (89)
- Josh Moorby (5)
*(#) denotes test caps to date
