All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has thrown the dice for Saturday’s crucial fourth Test against the Springboks, calling on a host of veterans to rescue the series — including brilliant playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
Mo’unga last played for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup final defeat by the Springboks in Paris. He replaces Ruben Love, who had started all six of the All Blacks’ Tests this year under Rennie but endured a nightmare in last week’s third-Test defeat in Soweto.
Mo’unga had been playing for Rennie in Japan, and the coach’s plan was always to bring the flyhalf back into the All Blacks fold once he returned to Canterbury duty in the National Provincial Championship last month.
There are further veteran recalls for the Baltimore finale, with Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane all returning to the match-day squad.
Some of Rennie’s changes were forced by injuries to Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea, but the coach has also wielded the axe in several areas.
Lienert-Brown and Ethan Blackadder replace Tupaea and Jacobson, while Peter Lakai moves from flank to No 8 to complete the loose trio.
Tupou Vaa’i switches from lock to blindside flank, with veteran Patrick Tuipulotu returning to the second row alongside Sam Darry.
Rennie has also picked an entirely new front row. Codie Taylor returns to captain the side, Ethan de Groot is back after recovering from the concussion he suffered in the first Test, and Fletcher Newell starts at tighthead.
There is less disruption behind the scrum, although the other major change after Mo-unga sees Josh Moorby replace Leroy Carter on the wing.
Carter paid the price for a series of defensive errors in the Soweto defeat.
Rennie has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench, which includes the Hurricanes front-row trio of Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax.
“We always planned for there to be a number of changes for this match,” Rennie said.
“Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to prepare the team for the seven games we’ve played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it.
“We have everything to play for on Saturday. It is our chance to draw the series and end the tour with a performance to be proud of.
“We have had incredible support travelling with us throughout the tour and amazing support back at home. We want to put in a performance that shows how much we appreciate that.
“We also want to honour the players and management who have returned home early but contributed so much.”
All Blacks team for fourth Test against Springboks
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Beauden Barrett.
IOL Sport
