All Blacks Named To Face Namibia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the All Blacks side to face Namibia in their second pool match at the 2023 Rugby World Cup at Toulouse, 7am on Saturday 16th September.

There are multiple changes to the side, with Damian McKenzie in at first five, Cam Roigard getting his first start at halfback, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Caleb Clarke on the wings, and Samisoni Taukei’aho at hooker. Brodie Retallick will start at lock, while Sam Cane is rested with his back injury. Lock Sam Whitelock will play his 148th test cap for the All Blacks, equaling former captain Richie McCaw with most matches played.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (c), Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala,  Ofa Tuungafasi. 

Reserves: 

Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane.

Namibia: 

Cliven Loubser, Gerswin Mouton, Johan Deysel (c), Le Roux Malan, Divan Rossouw, Tiaan Swanepoel, Damian Stevens; Richard Hardwick, Prince Gaoseb, Wian Conradie, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Johan Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Jason Benade. 

Reserves: 

Louis van der Westhuizen, Desiderius Sethie, Haitembu Shifuka, PJ Van Lill, Adriaan Booysen, Max Katjijeko, Jacques Theron, JC Greyling.