Ardie Savea to lead ‘stung’ All Blacks as Scott Robertson makes four changes
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New Zealand's Ardie Savea will captain his side against Australia on Sept 27.
PHOTO: AFP
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AUCKLAND – Flanker Ardie Savea will captain New Zealand against Australia as the All Blacks made four changes on Sept 25 to a side “stung” by their record defeat to South Africa.
Regular captain Scott Barrett is out of the Rugby Championship Test in Auckland on Sept 27 with a shoulder injury suffered during the 43-10 humiliation at the hands of the Springboks.
He is replaced at lock by Fabian Holland while the only other change to a pack humbled by the physical South Africans in Wellington two weeks ago is a recall for veteran hooker Codie Taylor, who has recovered from injury.
The fit-again duo of scrum-half Cam Roigard and wing Caleb Clarke return in the only other changes to the starting side.
Coach Scott Robertson resisted making sweeping changes as New Zealand look to maintain a 31-year unbeaten record at Eden Park and retain the Bledisloe Cup.
“Once you’ve been hurt and stung like we were, the best thing to do is play,” he said.
“You learn on stage and they’ve been under the spotlight and it’s another chance for them.
“So you bring those four players back and then you keep the cohesion of the rest of the group and that’s when you start to cement a little bit of form together.”
After two weeks of intense scrutiny from the New Zealand public, Robertson played down the scale of the Springbok defeat, in which four tries were conceded in the final quarter.
“It’s the small margins in games. We chased a game that got away from us but for the majority we played some really good footy,” he added.
Former world player of the year Savea has prior experience of captaining New Zealand, including twice against France in June.
Clarke will play on the left wing for his first Test start this year with Leroy Carter moving to the right and Will Jordan to fullback.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and fullback Damian McKenzie drop to the replacements, while back-row forward Peter Lakai could make a first appearance this year from the bench.
“With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds,” Robertson said.
“We are preparing for a strong Australian side and understand the importance of this match. There is a lot to play for on Saturday evening.”
New Zealand have not lost at Eden Park since 1994, going 51 matches unbeaten, and have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.
In the Wallabies camp, the squad were dealt a blow on Sept 24 when fullback Andrew Kellaway was ruled out with a calf issue.
It means 21-year-old Max Jorgensen is in line to start at Eden Park.
“It’s such a big game,” Jorgensen said.
“It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s an exciting one. I think for our group... to get the opportunity to play at Eden Park against a team like the All Blacks, it’s always cool.
“They’re a world-class team, they’ve always been good and always will be.” AFP, REUTERS
