Naholo v Koroibete
It’s going to be the battle of the wings. Fijian-born Waisake Naholo is going to start for the All Blacks while Marika Koroibete has got the nod from the Wallabies Michael Cheika.
He is going to don the No.11 jumper to mark Naholo in the Rugby Championship opener in Sydney tomorrow at 10pm.
For the All Blacks it is the combination of centre Jack Goodhue and Naholo that has been retained by coach Steve Hansen.
It will be just a second cap for Goodhue, who started in the third Test against France in the June internationals. Naholo lines-up on the right wing, with Nehe MilnerSkudder a recent withdrawal from the squad.
Otherwise, it is business as usual with Kieran Read captaining a side that boasts plenty of experience. Ben Smith is at full-back, with Rieko Ioane on the opposite wing to Ioane. Goodhue partners Ryan Crotty in midfield, while Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith form the halfback combination.
Liam Squire is at blindside with Sam Cane at openside and Kieran Read at number eight. Sam Whitelock is reunited with Brodie Retallick in the second row, while Owen Franks, Joe Moody and Cody Taylor make up the front row.
NEW LOOK FRONT ROW
Cheika has picked a new-look front row, with hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and loose-head prop Tom Robertson getting the nod for the all-important clash at ANZ Stadium.
Reece Hodge has been confirmed as Australia’s No.13 and young gun Jack Maddocks is in line to make his debut off the bench after a meteoric rise through the ranks in recent years.
Australia have a settled side heading into the biggest home match of the year, with captain Michael Hooper set to join David Pocock in a potent back row that also features Lukhan Tui at No.6. According to Rugby Heaven, prop Scott Sio has been ruled out of the match altogether with a shoulder complaint, giving Robertson a chance to shine in the No.1 jersey in what will be just his third start in international rugby. Despite not having a whole lot of game-time under his belt, PolotaNau will be the Wallabies’ starting rake, with Tolu Latu also edging out Brandon Paenga-Amosa for a bench spot.
There were no selection surprises in the back line, with Hodge set to play outside-centre for the first time in his Test career in what will be a major challenge for the 23-year-old up against the All Blacks midfield of Ryan Crotty and Goodhue. Cheika has picked a 5-3 split on the bench, with Nick Phipps, returning Wallaby Matt Toomua and potential debutant Maddocks the spare backs.
LINE-UP
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 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 Codie Taylor 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton LienertBrown. Australia: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Sekope Kepu,
4. Izack Rodda, 5. Adam Coleman,
6. Lukhan Tui, 7. Michael Hooper,
8. David Pocock, 9. Will Genia, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Dane Haylett-Petty, 15. Israel Folau. Replacements: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Taniela Tupou,
19. Rob Simmons, 20. Pete Samu,
21. Nick Phipps, 22. Matt Toomua,
23. Jack Maddocks* (denotes uncapped)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa); Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England); TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)