Scott surprise selection, Sowakula to debut
The inclusion of Scott Barrett at blindside flanker was the major talking point when the All Blacks team to play Ireland was revealed yesterday.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster, having made several surprising selections for the first test against the Irish in Auckland on tomorrow night, has recruited Barrett to start at No 6 in an attempt to counter the physicality of the Irish pack in what could potentially could be a fiery encounter at Eden Park.
Crusaders captain Barrett, who has played the majority of his 48 tests at lock and will also provide another lineout option for hooker Codie Taylor, has been preferred to start ahead of Akira Ioane who has been left out of the match-day 23.
Although Barrett has started just one test at No 6, in the ill-fated World Cup semifinal loss to England in 2019, he is familiar with what is required in the role after making sporadic appearances in the position for the Crusaders.
Barrett’s inclusion means there will be three brothers from the Taranaki family in the run-on team; Beauden will start at first five-eighth, and Jordie has been listed at fullback.
With Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick starting in the second row, and Barrett in the loose forwards, Foster has not added a specialist lock to the reserves bench.
With captain Sam Cane locked in at openside flanker, Ardie Savea has been named at No 8.
Loose forwards Dalton Papalii and Pita Gus Sowakula, the latter will make his debut if he takes the field, have been named in the substitutes.
Hoskins Sotutu joins Blues teammate Ioane as the other loose forward not required for the first match of the three-test series.
Foster has also made some intriguing selections in the front row, with Ofa Tuungafasi getting the nod at tighthead prop. Nepo Laulala has been omitted from the match-day 23. The in-form George Bower has been listed loosehead prop ahead of the more experienced Karl Tu’inukuafe and the uncapped Aidan Ross.
Injury and illness have forced Foster to dig deep when picking his backline.
Leicester Fainga’anuku will make his debut on the left wing.
With Caleb Clarke not yet fully recovered from injury and Will Jordan unavailable after contracting
Covid-19, Foster has had to place his trust in Fainga’anuku and Sevu Reece as his wings.
David Havili and Jack Goodhue have also been scratched because they have Covid-19, which means Quinn Tupaea and Rieko Ioane will start in the midfield. There is no room for rugby league convert
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Blues wing Mark Talea has been added to the squad has been added to the squad as cover for Jordan, through to the end of next week. Crusaders wing George Bridge, who toured with the All Blacks last year, has been overlooked.