Beauden Barrett will play off the bench for the All Blacks in Cape Town this weekend. (Johan Orton/Gallo Images)
The All Blacks have shuffled their backline ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Playmaker Beauden Barrett, who started at fullback in last weekend’s Test at Ellis Park, drops down to the bench with Will Jordan moving from right wing to the No 15 position.
Speedster Sevu Reece comes in to take Jordan’s No 14 jersey.
READ | Bok star Kolbe on the Barrett bounce: ‘I just went in as hard as I could’
Mark Tele’a also starts at left wing in place of Caleb Clarke, who scored two tries in New Zealand’s 31-27 loss last weekend. Clarke misses out due to a back injury.
There’s also a change at scrumhalf where Cortez Ratima replaces TJ Perenara, who drops down to the bench.
Up front, there’s a solitary change with Wallace Sititi taking the No 6 jersey from Ethan Blackadder, who is struggling with a sore hamstring.
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said they were looking to bolster their bench with some experience.
“TJ and Beauden will add significant experience and leadership when they
run out and the 23 selected will put in a performance our fans both
here in Cape Town and at home in New Zealand will be proud of,” the coach said.
Saturday’s clash at Cape Town Stadium kicks off at 17:00.
New Zealand team:
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Same Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett
