All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Uruguay on Friday at 8am NZT in their final pool match at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
After defeating Italy 96-17 in the weekend, Foster has made nine changes to the starting side, and seven on the reserves bench. In the starting side captain Sam Cane returns after being in the reserves last week, along with fellow Chiefs Luke Jacobson and Tupou Vaaí who will partner Sam Whitelock in his 150th test. In the backs Anton Lienert-Brown is in at center, Damian McKenzie at fullback, Leicester Fainga’anuku on the left wing and Cam Roigard at halfback. The additions to the reserves see flanker Ethan Blackadder included after initially missing the Rugby World Cup, but coming in two weeks ago as an injury replacement
New Zealand All Blacks:
Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard; Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Reserves:
Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke.
