All Blacks make eight changes for Sydney Bledisloe Test
All Blacks make eight changes for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia
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New Zealand have made eight changes to their matchday squad for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Sydney, with Fabian Holland, George Bower and Josh Moorby promoted into the starting side.
Holland and Bower handed starts
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has replaced Josh Lord with Holland in the second row, while Bower moves from the bench to start at loosehead prop ahead of Ethan de Groot.
Moorby comes onto the left wing in place of the injured Leroy Carter, who suffered a high ankle sprain during New Zealand’s 50-19 victory at Eden Park.
The result secured the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th consecutive year and extended New Zealand’s winning run over Australia to 12 Tests. They will therefore be chasing a 13th straight victory over the Wallabies in Sydney.
Injuries force further changes
Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner are unavailable because of concussion, while Ethan Blackadder has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima and Timoci Tavatavanawai all come into the matchday 23 as replacements.
They join Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell and Rieko Ioane on the bench.
McKenzie retained at flyhalf
Damian McKenzie remains at flyhalf after an influential display in Auckland, with Cam Roigard again starting at scrumhalf and Beauden Barrett retained at fullback.
“Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line,” Rennie said.
“We put in a performance befitting the occasion. Now we need to back that performance up.”
The second Bledisloe Cup Test takes place at Accor Stadium in Sydney on October 17.
All Blacks XV: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Rieko Ioane.
