All Blacks keep Barrett at 10, bring in wing Caleb Clarke

Thu, Aug 4, 2022
Other News (AP)

MBOMBELA, South Africa (AP) - Under-fire All Blacks coach Ian Foster kept faith with Beauden Barrett at flyhalf but brought wing Caleb Clarke and two new front-row forwards into his starting team for the first of two Rugby Championship tests in South Africa.

Clarke, whose father Eroni was also an All Black, is on the left wing in place of Sevu Reece as Foster resisted wholesale changes to his 15 on Thursday following an historic series loss at home to Ireland last month.

New Zealand's fourth loss in its last five games has put grinding pressure on Foster and his squad ahead of back-to-back tests against world champion South Africa.

In the front row, hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and tighthead Angus Ta'avao come in to join George Bower in the lineup for Saturday's game at Mbombela Stadium.

Scott Barrett is moved to lock to partner Sam Whitelock with Brodie Retallick out with a broken cheekbone. Captain Sam Cane, Akira Ioane and Ardie Savea make up the back row.

Apart from Clarke's inclusion, the All Blacks backline is unchanged from the 32-22 loss to Ireland in the third test last month that gave the Irish an historic first series win in New Zealand. That means Barrett at 10, David Havili and Rieko Ioane in midfield, Will Jordan at right wing and Jordie Barrett at fullback.

Foster did make six changes on his reserve bench, where forwards Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i and Shannon Frizell, scrumhalf Finlay Christie and center Quinn Tupaea are brought in. Hooker Dane Coles and flyhalf Richie Mo'unga kept their places among the reserves from the third Ireland test.

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New Zealand: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Akira Ioane, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Angus Ta'avao, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bower. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i, Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo'unga, Quinn Tupaea.

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