Reece, Bridge To Start Against Tonga
Hamilton: The All Blacks team has been named to play Tonga on Saturday.
The team features several changes from the side which played the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on August 17. In the forwards, Codie Taylor starts at hooker, with Liam Coltman providing cover from the bench; Matt Todd starts at openside, with Luke Jacobson coming onto the bench for his second Test, while Scott Barrett comes in as lock cover on the bench.
In the backs, TJ Perenara will start in the No.9 jersey, with Aaron Smith on the bench; Beauden Barrett is at 10 with Josh Ioane poised to make his All Blacks debut off the bench if required; Ryan Crotty returns from injury into the 12 jersey for his first Test appearance of the year, while in the outsides, Ben Smith comes in at fullback, with Jordie Barrett providing cover in the reserves.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said there was a real sense of excitement in the team.
“It’s great to get the squad together and start preparing for what will be a great match against Tonga. We know the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, but we are focusing on ‘right here, right now’,” he said.
“The players have brought real energy into our preparations here in Hamilton and the key will be to harness that excitement and put in a skillful and clinical performance on Saturday.
“Tonga will be targeting this game in a bid to build momentum into their Rugby World Cup campaign, and so are we, as it’s going to be important for both teams to head into the Tournament with confidence.”
Hansen said the team was also looking forward to passionate home crowd support at FMG Waikato Stadium on Saturday afternoon, to give the All Blacks a good send-off in their last home Test of the year.
Meanwhile, well-travelled former Wallaby Cooper Vuna has been restored to Tonga’s wing for their final Rugby World Cup warmup Test against the All Blacks in Hamilton. Vuna shifts from inside centre to the right wing in one of six personnel or positional changes to the Tongan starting side who lost 29-19 to Fiji in Auckland last week.
The 32-year-old is used to switches, having jumped codes and teams routinely since his professional debut with the Warriors NRL club 15 years ago. An explosive runner, Vuna scored 36 tries from 59 NRL games for the Warriors and Newcastle Knights, and also represented Tonga at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
His first rugby union contract was for three seasons with the Melbourne Rebels and he played in two victorious Tests for Australia against Wales in 2012.
LINE-UP
All Blacks: 1. Joe Moody (40), 2. Codie Taylor (44), 3. Nepo Laulala (19), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (24), 5. Samuel Whitelock (111), 6. Ardie Savea (38), 7. Matt Todd (20), 8. Kieran Read – captain (121), 9. TJ Perenara (58), 10. Beauden Barrett (77), 11. George Bridge (4), 12. Ryan Crotty (44),13. Anton LienertBrown (37), 14. Sevu Reece (2), 15. Ben Smith (79)
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman (5),
17. Ofa Tuungafasi (29), 18. Angus Ta’avao (7), 19. Scott Barrett (30),
20. Luke Jacobson (1), 21. Aaron Smith (86), 22. Josh Ioane *, 23. Jordie Barrett (11).
TONGA: 15. David Halaifonua, 14. Cooper Vuna, 13. Malietoa Hingano, 12. Siale Piutau (capt), 11. Viliame Lolohea, 10. Kurt Morath,
9. Sonatane Takalua, 8. Maama Vaipulu, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 6. Sione Kalamafoni, 5. Leva Fifita, 4. Sam Lousi, 3. Siua Halanukonuka, 2. Siua Maile, 1. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi. Reserves: 16. Sione Anga’aelangi,
17. Vunipola Fifita, 18. Ma’afu Fia,
19. Dan Faleafa, 20. Zane Kapeli, 21. Leon Fukofuka, 22. James Faiva,
23. Atieli Pakalani.