Mo’unga to start at flyhalf for Fiji clash

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, July 15, (AP): Richie Mo’unga will start at flyhalf while Anton Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea will make welcome returns from injury in the All Blacks team to face Fiji on Saturday in the second rugby test at Hamilton.

Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, rivals for the No. 10 jersey, have each started in one of New Zealand’s two tests this season, against Tonga and Fiji. Mo’unga now seems favored in the starting role ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Lienert-Brown returns at inside center after missing the tests against Tonga and Fiji as he recovered from elbow surgery. He may bring stability in the All Blacks midfield which has been in flux this season after the additional, season-ending injury to Jack Goodhue.

Ardie Savea was named at openside flanker and will also bring solidity in a constantly-changing backrow.

Fiji also will be reinforced by returning players. Scrumhalf Frank Lomani, who is based in Australia and missed the first test because of border restrictions, returns to the starting lineup. Peceli Yato forces a backrow change, displacing Albert Tuisui at No. 8.

Lock Leone Nakarawa will captain the tourists in place of Levani Botia, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Sam Whitelock again will captain the All Blacks from lock after starting on the bench in the first Fiji test and handing the leadership to scrumhalf Aaron Smith. The starting lineup for second test against Fiji appears to be close to the All Blacks’ strongest with the start of the Rugby Championship now only a month away.