Savea to lead 'stung' All Blacks as Robertson makes four changes / Photo: Grant Down - AFP
Savea to lead 'stung' All Blacks as Robertson makes four changes
Flanker Ardie Savea will captain New Zealand against Australia as the All Blacks made four changes Thursday to a side "stung" by their record defeat to South Africa.
Regular captain Scott Barrett is out of Saturday's Rugby Championship Test in Auckland with a shoulder injury suffered during the 43-10 humiliation at the hands of the Springboks.
He is replaced at lock by Fabian Holland while the only other change to a pack humbled by the physical South Africans in Wellington two weeks ago is a recall for veteran hooker Codie Taylor, who has recovered from injury.
The fit-again duo of scrum-half Cam Roigard and wing Caleb Clarke return in the only other changes to the starting side.
Coach Scott Robertson resisted making sweeping changes as New Zealand look to maintain a 31-year unbeaten record at Eden Park and retain the Bledisloe Cup.
"Once you've been hurt and stung like we were, the best thing to do is play," Robertson said.
"You learn on stage and they've been under the spotlight and it's another chance for them.
"So you bring those four players back and then you keep the cohesion of the rest of the group and that's when you start to cement a little bit of form together."
After two weeks of intense scrutiny from the New Zealand public, Robertson played down the scale of the Springbok defeat, in which four tries were conceded in the final quarter.
"It's the small margins in games. We chased a game that got away from us but for the majority we played some really good footy," he said.
Former world player of the year Savea has prior experience of captaining New Zealand, including twice against France in June.
Clarke will play on the left wing for his first Test start this year with Leroy Carter moving to the right and Will Jordan to fullback.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and fullback Damian McKenzie drop to the replacements, while back-row forward Peter Lakai could make a first appearance this year from the bench.
"With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds," Robertson said.
"We are preparing for a strong Australian side and understand the importance of this match. There is a lot to play for on Saturday evening."
New Zealand (15-1)
Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea (capt), Simon Parker; Tupou Vaa'i, Fabian Holland; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie
L.Barone--PV
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