Quinn Tupaea to make All Blacks debut against Tonga

David Skippers

The All Blacks team has been named to play Tonga in the historic opening match at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.

Four uncapped All Blacks have been included in the side: Quinn Tupaea will start at inside centre, with prop George Bower, loose forward Ethan Blackadder and scrum-half Finlay Christie set to make their Test debuts from the bench.

First Test start for Brad Weber

In the backs, Brad Weber will make his first start in his eighth Test, inside Richie Mo’unga at fly-half, while Rieko Ioane will provide experienced support at centre outside Tupaea.

George Bridge returns to the All Blacks side on the left wing with Will Jordan on the right and Damian McKenzie at full-back. The other back reserves alongside Christie are Jordie and Beauden Barrett.

Up front, the experienced hooker Dane Coles will start in his 75th Test alongside props Karl Tu’inukuafe and the returning Angus Ta’avao. Asafo Aumua will provide impact off the bench in his second Test, with Tyrel Lomax the other reserve prop alongside Bower.

Scott Barrett and captain Sam Whitelock are the starting locks, with Patrick Tuipulotu coming off the bench. In the loose forwards, Akira Ioane is at six with Dalton Papalii in the number seven jersey, and it’s a welcome return to the All Blacks for Luke Jacobson, who will start at number eight.

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said the chance to play a first Test at home was “pretty special” especially for the new players selected.

“It’s fantastic that Quinn, George, Ethan and Finlay have an opportunity and we’re excited for them, especially playing in front of a home crowd,” he said.

Commenting on the make-up of the loose forward trio, Foster added: “Dalton gets a reward for a great campaign this year. In Akira’s case, he started at six last year and it’s a chance for him to put a marker down. Luke played very well for the Chiefs and he is back in great form.”

Foster also said Jordie Barrett would cover the midfield from the bench. “He is excited by that. We know where he will play long term but he’s a great utility player to have.”

After a truncated season last year, Foster said the team was energised by what lay ahead, especially playing a first-ever All Blacks Test at Mount Smart Stadium.

“Our whole group is excited. After Covid disrupted our season last year we felt a little bit distanced from our fans playing most of our games overseas, so what’s in front of us this weekend is very exciting,” he added.

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Jordie Barrett

Date: Saturday, July 3
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

 

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