All Blacks team named for third Test against Australia

Oct 20 • General News, International • 1246 Views • Comments Off on All Blacks team named for third Test against Australia

The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the third Bledisloe Test, presented by American Express, at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday 22 October.

The matchday 23 is (with Test caps in brackets):

1. Joe Moody (19)
2. Dane Coles (45)
3. Owen Franks (86)
4. Brodie Retallick (56)
5. Samuel Whitelock (81)
6. Jerome Kaino (73)
7. Matt Todd (5)
8. Kieran Read – capt (93)
9. TJ Perenara (25)
10. Beauden Barrett (45)
11. Julian Savea (48)
12. Ryan Crotty (23)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (5)
14. Israel Dagg (57)
15. Ben Smith (57)

16. Codie Taylor (10)
17. Wyatt Crockett (54)
18. Charlie Faumuina (41)
19. Liam Squire (5)
20. Ardie Savea (8)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (23)
22. Aaron Cruden (42)
23. Malakai Fekitoa (19)

The matchday 23 features just three changes to the side which beat South Africa in Durban 12 days ago, with all the changes coming in the backs. Winger Julian Savea returns to the 11 jersey, after being given a break in South Africa. Aaron Cruden has been named in the replacements, after proving his fitness in Manawatu’s Mitre 10 Cup match on Friday, with Malakai Fekitoa also coming onto the replacements bench.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “The squad is feeling refreshed and raring to go after our return from South Africa, and we’re all looking forward to what we know is a hugely-anticipated Test match at Eden Park. We’ve been focussed in our preparation this week and there’s a strong resolve within the group to put in another performance we can be proud of.

“Australia will be coming here with a lot more confidence than when we played earlier in the season. They’ve made some significant changes to their game and would like nothing better to end their Southern Hemisphere Test season with a win. They’ve said they are keen to bring it on, and have outlined their intentions, so the stage is set for another huge trans-Tasman battle. It’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to.”

Meanwhile, loose forward Sam Cane, winger Waisake Naholo and halfback replacement Augustine Pulu will be available to play for their respective provinces in their Mitre 10 Cup semifinal matches this weekend.

The All Blacks have also sent a message to the Black Ferns, who will be playing the Australian Wallaroos in the first match of the New Zealand-Australia double header on Saturday night, with their match kicking off at 5.05PM.

Steve Hansen said: “On behalf of the All Blacks, we want to wish Glenn Moore and the Black Ferns all the very best for their Test match.”

The Bledisloe Test, presented by American Express – key facts

* The All Blacks and Australia have played each other 157 times, with 108 wins to the All Blacks and 42 to Australia, with seven draws.
* In Durban, All Blacks Captain Kieran Read equalled Martin Johnson’s record of 18 consecutive wins as captain.
* Prop Wyatt Crockett has played in 25 consecutive Test victories. The world record is 28 by Lawrence Dallaglio.
* Gates for this weekend’s double-header at Eden Park open at 4.30PM with coverage of the two matches LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on SKY Sport from 4.45PM. The Black Ferns – Wallaroos Test for the Laurie O’Reilly Trophy kicks off at 5.05PM, with the Bledisloe Test, presented by American Express, kicking off at 7.35PM.