Lienert-Brown at second five
Anton Lienert-Brown’s remarkable rise continues.
The 21-year-old Cantabrian will start at second five-eighth for New Zealand in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in Wellington, in place of the injured Ryan Crotty.
Hardly a household name, LienertBrown’s form for the Chiefs saw him called into the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad and he’ll now receive the ultimate recognition when he runs onto Westpac Stadium. He’ll also take Christchurch Boys’ High School’s tally of All Blacks up to 46.
Chiefs team-mate Seta Tamanivalu and burgeoning Blues star Rieko Ioane were the other midfield contenders, but the selectors have opted for a player whose credentials are probably less well-known.
‘‘Firstly, we’d like to congratulate Anton on his Test selection,’’ All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said in a statement.
‘‘He had a very good Super season with strong performances throughout and we expect him to take the step up. We’re really looking forward to seeing him play in the international arena.
‘‘It’ll be a special night for Anton on Saturday and he and his family can be proud of what he has achieved.’’
The other feature of the backline is the swap between Ben Smith and Israel Dagg. Smith, who started last Saturday’s 42-8 win over the Wallabies on the right wing and finished it at centre, will play at fullback in Wellington with Dagg getting the No 14 jersey.
Julian Savea comes onto the left wing to replace the injured Waisake Naholo, leaving Malakai Fekitoa to play centre and Beauden Barrett to again start at first five-eighth.
In the pack, Dane Coles has been named at hooker, with Blues captain James Parsons given the role of his understudy. Joe Moody returns in the No 1 jumper, pushing Wyatt Crockett back to the familiar position of being the team’s ‘‘finishing’’ loosehead prop, in what will be the 33-yearold’s 50th All Blacks appearance.
‘‘’Crocky’ is the ultimate team man who has worked hard throughout his career. His attitude and performances since bouncing back from non-selection for the Rugby World Cup squad in 2011 epitomises everything you want in a team member and he can be very proud of what he has achieved,’’ said Hansen.
Australia were awful in Sydney last week but the All Blacks have very kindly talked them up since. It remains to be seen if the Wallabies were deserving of those flattering comments.
‘‘This test match will tell us a lot about ourselves and Australia,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘There’s no doubt that one of the hardest things to do in sport is to back up a big performance with another big performance. It’s totally a mental thing, so that is something we’ve been working really hard on this week: getting our feet back on the ground and our attitudes right for what is going to be a really physical and demanding test.’’