Coles Back In Black
New Zealand have made three changes to their matchday 23 for their meeting with Australia at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
Hooker Dane Coles returns to the front-row for what will be his 50th outing, with Codie Taylor moving to bench duty. Prop Kane Hames comes onto the bench replacing Wyatt Crockett, while Scott Barrett is the reserve lock, in for Luke Romano, who has a minor foot niggle.
“It’s been great to be back home in New Zealand and we’ve had a great week’s preparation in Dunedin,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
“Whilst we were very happy with the way we played for periods of the game in the first Test, there were also moments where we weren’t so crash hot. However, this is a new week and we’re well aware that we’ll have to be better in all areas of our game, and we’ve concentrated on those areas we want to improve. Once again, a good start will be important.”
Hansen said the team was again looking forward to playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium. “Playing under the roof in Dunedin means we should see a high-speed game, which should suit both teams and create an entertaining match that fans won’t want to miss,” he said. “I know the team itself is looking forward to Saturday as it’s another opportunity to grow and develop as a group.”
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
16 Codie Taylor, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown. [where he is] is one of the highest in the team, and line breaks and offloads so there is a lot more to his game than he is given credit for,” Foster told the All Blacks’ official website.
“And yes, he’s a calming influence and he’s a really good reader defensively but he’s also a pretty significant contributor on attack in a probably less flamboyant way but a very effective way.”
Crotty said he didn’t read too much into the credits he was being given for his role in commanding the backline.
He said all he was trying to do was his job to meet the requirements of the side. Utility back Ben Smith, who is playing his last game this weekend before going on a sabbatical, said Crotty was a good communicator and he met his role of doing what was required of him every week and that helped provide clarity on what they were doing for the players around him.
Crotty said they were aware they slipped off the pace in the second half in Sydney last weekend and the Australians had got themselves back in the game.
“Our attention got a little bit diverted one way or another and let them back into the game. We saw when we did execute with the ball, and without it, the limited opportunities we gave them,” he said.
That was a key lesson for them.
The Australian ability to defend was tested because of the speed of ball the All Blacks were able to achieve. That allowed them to play a lot and when that happened it made it easier to pick defences apart, Crotty said. “When they start slowing that ball down and making the ruck a bit slower it becomes a bit more difficult which I am sure will be a big focus for the Australians this week,” he added.
“So we need to nail our ball carry and clean out to give ourselves that quick ball we need to attack and execute opportunities that we create.”
Crotty said Smith would be missed while he was on leave because he was probably the best outside back in the world and as much as he contributed on the field, he also did a lot off the field.
“He’s a real leader in this team and he’s a good man,” he said.
Smith said he was expecting Australia to be more physical at the breakdown in Dunedin and the All Blacks would need to be accurate in that department.
Both teams would have had a good look at how each other played and would make respective adjustments.
“I think you’ll see an Aussie team that is pretty fired up this week,” he said.