ABs named for 2nd test
Naholo in starting line-up
WAISAKE Naholo will start on the right wing for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday,while Ngani Laumape is set to continue his remarkable rise after being brought into the matchday 23 following Ryan Crotty’s hamstring injury.
Israel Dagg, excellent in the No 14 jersey against the Lions in his team’s 3015 firsttest victory at Eden Park, moves to fullback to cover for the injured Ben Smith, who, predictably, has been ruled out with concussion.
Anton LienertBrown was the obvious choice to start at centre alongside Sonny Bill Williams after he performed well there as Crotty’s replacement last Saturday.
Hurricanes midfielder Laumape, a handful for the Lions in the 3131 draw on Tuesday, will wear the No 23 jersey.
The 24yearold, a Warriors player as recently as three years ago but one with a rugby union background, was a surprise addition to Hansen’s tour squad but showed in his recent performance at Westpac Stadium he is in top condition.
His secondhalf try owed as much to his strength as his speed, as he bumped off Lions No 10 Dan Biggar, but he has subtleties to his game as well which have attracted the attention of the selectors.
For Naholo, the recall to the starting XV is a good reward for his form for the Highlanders, and he, too, was a thorn in the side of the Lions for his Super Rugby franchise two weeks ago when he used his power to cross for a try and get close to another.
Dagg has played the majority of his 63 tests at fullback, so the All Blacks will lose little there in Smith’s absence, although rugby supporters of all persuasions will want the Highlanders captain to recover quickly from his latest head injury — his third in recent times.
‘‘Whilst it’s disappointing to lose both Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty, it creates an opportunity for others,’’ head coach Steve Hansen said.
‘‘Izzy is a worldclass back three player, as is Anton in the midfield, and both Waisake and Ngani are coming into the test side following outstanding performances against the Lions for their respective Super franchises.’’
The injection of Naholo on the right, in combination with the pace of Rieko Ioane on the left, could pose serious problems for Warren Gatland’s team, a group likely to be tiring at the end of a long season and who will know that it gave it a fair crack against the All Blacks in the first test but came up well short. — NZME