Ryan Crotty to start at 12 for All Blacks

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All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty is set to make his first Test appearance of 2019 when the world champions host Tonga in their Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Hamilton on Saturday.

The 30-year-old, who returned to action for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup last week after recovering from a thumb injury, will wear the number 12 jersey and partner Anton Lienert-Brown in a new-look midfield combination.

Crotty’s inclusion is one of several changes from the side which played the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on August 17.

In the forwards, Codie Taylor starts at hooker, with Liam Coltman providing cover from the bench; Matt Todd starts at openside, with Luke Jacobson coming onto the bench for his second Test, while Scott Barrett comes in as lock cover.

In the backs, TJ Perenara will start in the number nine jersey, with Aaron Smith on the bench; Beauden Barrett is at 10 with Josh Ioane poised to make his All Blacks debut off the bench if required. In the outside backs, Ben Smith comes in at full-back, with Jordie Barrett providing cover in the reserves.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said there was a real sense of excitement in the team.

“It’s great to get the squad together and start preparing for what will be a great match against Tonga. We know the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, but we are focusing on ‘right here, right now’,” he said.

“The players have brought real energy into our preparations here in Hamilton and the key will be to harness that excitement and put in a skillful and clinical performance on Saturday.

“Tonga will be targeting this game in a bid to build momentum into their Rugby World Cup campaign, and so are we, as it’s going to be important for both teams to head into the Tournament with confidence.”

Hansen said the team was also looking forward to passionate home crowd support at Waikato Stadium on Saturday afternoon, to give the All Blacks a good send off in their last home Test of the year.

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Jordie Barrett

Date: Saturday, September 7
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 14:45 local (03:45 BST, 02:45 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)

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