All Blacks v Wales: Two test debuts tipped as rare rotation embraced
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By Liam Napier in Cardiff
Sunday, All Blacks v Wales, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, 3.10am
Richie Mo’unga’s return from five weeks on the sideline with a calf tear is expected to headlin the much-altered All Blacks for Wales.
An initial eight-to-10 week projected setback threatened to
end Mo’unga’s season but remaining with the All Blacks squad while injured has allowed him to fast-track his recovery.
After featuring in one test – the loss to the Springboks in Baltimore – since returning from Japan, Mo’unga is eager to build some rhythm in his comeback.
Fehi Fineanganofo is in a similar situation.
Multiple injury setbacks have restricted the lethal Hurricanes finisher, the joint Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring record holder alongside teammate Josh Moorby, to two mid-week matches in South Africa since his test debut off the bench in early July.
Dry conditions under the Principality Stadium roof should pave the way for Fineanganofo, and others, to cut loose against Wales.
Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first All Blacks appearance under Dave Rennie – and first at test level as a genuine hybrid player who can cover loose forward, midfield and wing – sparks widespread anticipation, too.
Fainga’anuku is expected to feature in the loose forwards from the bench but, depending on the match circumstances, he could be used across three backline roles.
There’s plenty to play for in the loose forward ranks where Ethan Blackadder, Anton Segner and Christian Lio-Willie are expected to combine.
While Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa’i are likely locked in the starting trio for England at Twickenham next week, Segner in particular could force his way into the mix with a strong performance against Wales.
The captaincy question also looms over this week’s team.
Rennie could retain Codie Taylor but after a heavy workload this year he may be spelled.
The All Blacks leadership group has been stripped back with Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson ruled out for the year. Jordie Barrett and Will Jordan are unavailable this week, too.
Those absences raise the prospect of former captain Scott Barrett or brother Beauden potentially leading the team against Wales.
All Blacks selector Neil Barnes didn’t shy away from the desire to utilise a rare chance to rotate the squad.
Wales last defeated the All Blacks 73 years ago and are ranked 10th in the world, one place behind Fiji.
“There’s a lot of positions in this team where it’s really close,” Barnes said. “We can make quite a few changes and still put a damn good side out there.
“There’s a lot of trust in the people we’ve selected in this group. A couple of people will get opportunities and they deserve them.
“If they perform, it raises the bar in that position and the other person who gets back in has to raise their game so there’s a flow-on effect.”
Possible All Blacks team:
1. George Bower, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Josh Lord, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Beauden Barrett
16. George Bell, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.
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