Barrett returns for New Zealand
WELLINGTON — All Blacks back Rieko Ioane, whose sloppy grounding cost his team a try in the drawn first Bledisloe Cup test, has been dropped from the starting side for tomorrow’s second clash against Australia.
The outside centre, who crossed the line on the stroke of halftime last weekend but failed to ground the ball properly, has been dropped to the bench for the clash with the Wallabies at Eden Park.
Anton Lienert-Brown replaced Ioane at outside centre as coach Ian Foster made four changes to his starting line-up from the disappointing 16-16 draw in Wellington.
“It was our first test together last weekend and while there were some aspects of our game that we were pretty excited about ... we didn’t get the performance that we wanted,” Foster said.
Twice world Player of the Year Beauden Barrett, a late injury withdrawal from the first test, returned at fullback in place of Damian McKenzie.
Despite some criticism of his display last week, Richie Mo’unga retains the number 10 shirt as starting flyhalf, while Barrett’s brother Jordie remains on the right-wing. In other backline changes, Caleb Clarke will make his first test start on the left-wing in place of George Bridge, who has been sidelined for up to six weeks with a chest injury.
Injury has also handed lock Tupou Vaa’i his first run-on start in place of
Sam Whitelock, who was ruled out of the Eden Park match because of a concussion. Dane Coles replaces Codie Taylor at hooker with the latter dropping to the bench alongside uncapped prop Alex Hodgman and lock Scott Barrett, who returns after a four-month injury layoff.
New Zealand (15-1): Beauden Barrett; Jordie Barrett, Anton LienertBrown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke; Richie Mounga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell; Tupou Vaai, Patrick Tuipulotu; Ofa Tu'ungafas, Dane Coles, Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman,Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.