New Zealand lose Wallace Sititi for Stormers clash

The All Blacks have made a late change to their starting line-up for the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Wallace Sititi has been ruled out after developing a mild illness, prompting a reshuffle of New Zealand’s loose-forward combination.

Wallace Sititi Ruled Out by Illness

Sititi was initially selected at No.8 for the clash at DHL Stadium on Friday, August 7, but has now been withdrawn as a precaution. The 23-year-old’s absence gives Anton Segner an opportunity to start on the openside flank.

Peter Lakai, who was originally named at No.7, will switch to the back of the scrum and take over the No.8 jersey. Simon Parker remains at blindside flanker, completing the revised loose-forward trio.

All Blacks Revise Stormers Starting XV

Beauden Barrett starts at fly-half, with Cortez Ratima at scrum-half and Anton Lienert-Brown partnering Billy Proctor in midfield.

Josh Moorby has been selected at full-back, while Leroy Carter and Rieko Ioane occupy the wings. George Bower, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Pasilio Tosi form the starting front row.

Greatest Rivalry Tour Begins in Cape Town

The Stormers fixture is the first match of New Zealand’s eight-game Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. The programme includes further matches against the Sharks, Bulls and Lions, followed by four Tests against the Springboks.

All Blacks XV: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Leinert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.

Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Caleb Clarke