All Blacks make three changes for second Wallabies Test / Photo: Shane WENZLICK - AFP
All Blacks make three changes for second Wallabies Test
New Zealand made three changes to its starting side Thursday for the second Bledisloe Cup Test with forwards Josh Lord and Ethan de Groot dropped as they eye a 13th straight victory over Australia.
Dave Rennie's side whipped the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park last weekend to secure the trans-Tasman trophy for a 24th straight time.
With the silverware safe, Rennie has brought in Fabian Holland at lock to replace Lord while George Bower was preferred as loosehead prop to De Groot for the clash in Sydney on Saturday.
Josh Moorby got the nod at wing ahead of Rieko Ioane to replace Leroy Carter who faces a stint out after injuring his ankle while scoring a try in the victory at Auckland.
They are among eight changes to the match-day 23 with forwards Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner (both concussion) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) all out.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, prop Xavier Numia, loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi, halfback Cortez Ratima and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the squad as reserves.
They join prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and Ioane on the bench.
Veteran Beauden Barrett is again at fullback with Damian McKenzie retained at fly-half after being instrumental in helping orchestrate the win last week.
Cam Roigard once more has scrum-half duties with Rennie hoping his kicking game can again cause Australia major problems.
"Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line," said Rennie.
"We put in a performance befitting the occasion. Now we need to back that performance up."
New Zealand
Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa'i; Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett; Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor (capt), George Bower.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane
S.Schmitt--JdCdC
