Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Thursday August 24, 2023 at 10:39 am
For its last preparation match before the World Cup, Friday at Twickenham against South Africa, New Zealand will field a very solid team.
Two weeks before the start of the World Cup, against France at the Stade de France, New Zealand will have a big test on Friday at Twickenham, against world champions South Africa. The All Blacks coach has decided to make three changes from the last game, won 23-20 against Australia in the Rugby Championship. Second row Brodie Retallick and third row Shannon Frizell, hit in the knee and groin respectively and most likely out of the opening game against the Blues, are replaced by Sam Whitelock and Luke Jacobson. Whitelock will also be the team’s most capped player, with 146 caps. Pillar Dan Coles is back in the starting 15, to the detriment of Codie Taylor. The three Barrett brothers will be on the pitch at Twickenham at kick-off, as will Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith, who will form the hinge.
The Blacks beat the Bocks in mid-July
“It’s our last game before the Rugby World Cup and this test is essential in our preparation. With just two weeks to go, it’s an important opportunity to prepare us for the fight for the start of the tournament. These games are always intense and physically demanding, and I’m sure this one won’t be any different,” coach Ian Foster said. This match between the Blacks and the Bocks will be the 104th in history, and comes only a few weeks after the 103rd, where New Zealand won 35-20 at home against South Africa in the Rugby Championship. The All Blacks have not lost a match for a year and a defeat against Argentina and remain on ten wins and a draw.
The starting XV of the All Blacks: B.Barrett – Jordan, R.Ioane, J. Barrett, Telea – (o) Mo’unga, (m) Smith – A.Savea, Cane (cap), Jacobson – S.Barrett, Whitelock – Lomax, Coles, de Groot
Replacements: Taukei’aho, Williams, Newell, Lord, Vaa’i, Papali’i, Roigard, Lienert-Brown