New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen provides several under-worked members of his Rugby World Cup team match time when the All Blacks face Tonga within their final warm-up match on Saturday at Hamilton.
Hansen has made a lot of changes to this line-up that beat Australia 36-0 in the second Bledisloe Cup Test moving Beauden Barrett from full-back into his position at fly-half in the lack of Richie Mo’unga, who is recovering from a shoulder injury.
After playing on the right wing to allow Barrett and Mo’unga to attribute as playmakers veteran Ben Smith, in is Test, returns to his position at full-back.
Hooker Codie Taylor, flanker Matt Todd and scrumhalf T.J. Perenara, that generally start on the seat, are encouraged to the beginning 15 while Liam Coltman, ” the third hooker in the group, and rookie back rower Luke Jacobson are termed as reserves.
Though he’s not a member of Hansen’s 31-man World Cup squad, uncapped fly-half Josh Ioane can be on the seat.
“It’s great to get the team together and get started preparing for what will be an excellent match against Tonga,” Hansen said. “We all know the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner however we’re working on’right here, right today’
“Tonga will be targeting this match in an attempt to build momentum into their Rugby World Cup effort, so are we, since it’s likely to be significant for both groups to venture into the tournament with confidence.”
Siua Maile, who worked before his selection for the Tonga group will make his Test debut.
recently playing at inside centre former Wallaby Cooper Vuna will start.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman 18 Angus Ta’avao 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Aaron Smith. 23 Jordie Barrett, 22 Josh Ioane.
Watch All Blacks vs Tonga live on Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 8am on Saturday.
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