Sam Cane to start for New Zealand against Uruguay

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has handed skipper Sam Cane his first start in the ongoing Rugby World Cup for the clash against Uruguay to be played at OL Stadium on Thursday.

Cane will start at openside replacing Dalton Papali'i while Shannon Frizell retains his place at blindside. Ardie Savea, who scored two tries against Italy has been rested with Luke Jacobson taking his place at number eight.

In the second row, Sam Whitelock will be making his 150th Test appearance for the All Blacks - a week after he went past Richie McCaw's tally to become the most capped player for New Zealand.

The front row sees a change with Tyrel Lomax starting at tighthead at the expense of Nepo Laulala while Richie Mo’unga will continue to keep the kicking responsibility with Cam Roigard being his halfback partner.

Will Jordan has retained his position at right wing with Leicester Fainga’anuku at left while Jordie Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown form the midfield combination with Damian McKenzie at fullback.

Beauden Barrett will be part of the bench that has recently called up Ethan Blackadder, Caleb Clarke, Finlay Christie, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Tamati Williams and Samisoni Taukei’aho.

New Zealand are at second position in Pool A table with two wins from three matches.

New Zealand XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ofa Tuungafasi

Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Caleb Clarke