All Blacks team: Scott Robertson swings the axe as Rieko Ioane dropped for bolter in bold selections for Springboks rematch
All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane and an inset of head coach Scott Robertson.
Leroy Carter will make his Test debut for the All Blacks in one of six changes that head coach Scott Robertson has made to face the Springboks in Wellington.
The former sevens star will be the ninth debutant of 2025 as he replaces Rieko Ioane on the left wing for the clash at Sky Stadium.
Robertson makes sweeping changes
He features in a new-look back-three as Will Jordan shifts to the right wing, taking the place of the injured Emoni Narawa, who was forced off the pitch during New Zealand’s 24-17 victory over the Springboks at Eden Park, while Damian McKenzie starts at full-back. Carter also pips Leicester Fainga’anuku and Caleb Clarke for the winger role.
Robertson has not tinkered with his midfield as Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor combine once again, but there is a change in the half-backs. Noah Hotham returns from injury and replaces Finlay Christie at scrum-half, the latter dropping to the bench, with Beauden Barrett retained at fly-half.
Into the forward pack, Codie Taylor is on concussion stand-down and misses the rematch with the Boks, which means that Samisoni Taukei’aho will start at hooker, and Brodie McAlister comes on to the bench.
Taukei’aho is joined in the front-row by props Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot, the former switching roles with Fletcher Newell, who is named on the bench.
The back-five is unchanged as Scott Barrett captains the side from the second row and is partnered by Tupou Vaa’i. Simon Parker and Ardie Savea are the starting flankers, with Wallace Sititi named at number eight.
McAlister, Tamaiti Williams and Newell will provide front-row cover off the bench while Fabian Holland and Du’Plessis Kirifi will look to make in the forward pack. Christie is joined by fellow backs Quinn Tupaea, who scored a crucial try off the bench at Eden Park, and utility back Ruben Love.
All Blacks boss Robertson said the team has prepared well in Wellington for what will be a huge encounter against their much-respected rivals.
“It is an awesome opportunity to face South Africa in front of a sell-out home crowd for a second week in a row. Every Test match has its own story line and this one will be another passionate battle,” he said.
“We are excited to inject Leroy into the backline this week and watch what he creates with his speed and skillset. He has trained hard and put himself into the position where he is ready to perform on Saturday night. It is a special occasion for him and his family.”
With all three Barrett brothers in the starting line-up, the trio will bring up a combined 300 Test matches for their family when they take the field – the Barretts now have 78 Test tries between them (just ahead of Ardie and Julian Savea with 76).
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Unavailable for selection: Emoni Narawa (rib fracture), Codie Taylor (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (minor facial fracture), Cortez Ratima (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius), and Cam Roigard (foot stress fracture).
All Blacks team v Springboks
All Blacks: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love
Date: Saturday, September 13
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:05 local (09:05 SAST, 08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (RA)
