All Blacks team: Scott Robertson makes intentions clear as backline trio axed and former captain returns
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and axed wing Mark Tele'a.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has altered three of his backline as they seek to bounce back from their shock defeat to Argentina last weekend.
The new national team boss has taken the step to axe his two wings with Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece taken out of the XV.
Tele’a remains in the 23 as a bench option but Reece is dropped from the squad altogether, with Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke coming into the side.
Robertson would ultimately like to see Jordan play in the All Blacks number 15 jersey at some point after describing him as a full-back who can play wing, but he does not get that opportunity just yet.
Beauden Barrett continues in that role to complement fly-half Damian McKenzie as the primary playmakers in the backline.
“We believe his skill set is perfect for those combinations,” Robertson said of Jordan.
“Beauden has been playing some really good footy, they’ve worked together closely and execute really well together. We felt that experience was best for this weekend.”
Rieko back
Jordan has an exceptional try-scoring record but he won’t be feeding off Anton Lienert-Brown, who has been dropped to the bench.
It is perhaps unfortunate for the centre who, despite a couple of defensive lapses, linked things nicely in attack in the 38-30 defeat to Los Pumas in Round One of the Rugby Championship.
Rieko Ioane therefore comes back in for the final change in the backline, with McKenzie and TJ Perenara remaining at half-back.
“We’ve gone for a few combinations, also a little bit of experience in there, what we think we needed for this weekend,” the All Blacks boss said.
“Everyone has got a role to play. You’ve got to exit well and everyone has to be clear on what we do and how we do it.”
Up front, there is just one enforced alteration as Ethan de Groot is out with a neck injury. Robertson has decided against bringing in Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who has done well as an impact replacement, and instead starts Tamaiti Williams.
The loosehead combines in the front-row with Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax, while Sam Darry and Tupou Vaa’i are once again in the engine room.
Ardie Savea continues as captain and is alongside Dalton Papali’i and Ethan Blackadder in the loose trio.
On the bench, there is no place for Wallace Sititi as Robertson sticks to his ‘experience’ mantra by bringing in former captain Sam Cane.
Asafo Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord are the other forward replacements, while Cortez Ratima, Lienert-Brown and Tele’a cover the backs.
“We’ve reflected deeply on our performance and our preparation individually and collectively is something we have all owned. Our intent and focus has shifted solely to Eden Park,” Robertson said.
New Zealand side to face Argentina
All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a
Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
