All Black coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to the starting XV for this week’s shot at redemption against Argentina at fortress Eden Park including the return of a familiar face.
In a release, Robertson said the team had moved on from the messy 38-30 defeat in Wellington;
“We’ve reflected deeply on our performance and our preparation individually and collectively is something we have all owned. Our intent and focus has shifted solely to Eden Park.”
The loss stirred selection fervour as many questioned the decision-making of first five Damian McKenzie and the supply of ball from veteran halves-partner TJ Perenara.
However, the aforementioned have retained their starting spots, with Robertson resisting the urge to tinker with the axis by installing Beauden Barrett and swapping Perenara out for Cortez Ratima.
Surprisingly the form-based changes have been made in the backs where finding a spot for Will Jordan’s inevitable return spelled bad news for Sevu Reece who has paid the price for a messy kick tapback that led to an Argentinian try in the first test.
Caleb Clarke who was seen as unlucky to miss out on the squad a week earlier has taken the place of Blues teammate Mark Tele’a on the left flank despite the winger dotting down for nine tries in his twelve tests to date.
Curiously there is no room for Anton Leinart-Brown in the run-on side. The centre acquitted himself well on attack in the first test but learned observers have intimated the swift return to the out-of-favour Reiko Ioane may be due to defence frailties in the All Blacks midfield.
In the front row, Ethan De Groot is nursing a crook neck, elevating St Kent’s old boy Tamaiti Williams to the loosehead side.
In the biggest adjustment, former captain Sam Cane, who has signed to play in Japan and confirmed his international “retirement” in April will ride the pine in his first test since last year’s World Cup Final loss.
His inclusion comes at the expense of youngster Wallace Sititi who has been omitted after sabotaging his case for re-selection by giving away two crucial penalties late on Saturday.
Cane’s experience is undoubtedly valued by the coaching staff who perhaps feel he can impart his knowledge of an All Black team that sometimes looked directionless under stand-in skipper Ardie Savea.
It could also be interpreted that returning Cane to the test fold like the prodigal son is a sign the All Blacks are in big trouble and in need of a cool head to steer them through the heavy seas that await in South Africa.
The team is:
15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 7. Dalton Papali’i, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 5. Sam Darry, 4. Tupou Vaa’i, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Tamaiti Williams
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Mark Tele’a
