30 Sep 2021

All Blacks tweak team for Rugby Championship finale

2:53 pm on 30 September 2021

The All Blacks have made several changes to their team for the final match of this year's Rugby Championship against South Africa on Saturday.

Anton Lienert-Brown of the All Blacks

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Most of the changes for the test on the Gold Coast come in the backs, with midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown back from injury to start at centre alongside David Havili.

Rieko Ioane shifts to the left wing, with Sevu Reece back in the starting side on the right wing.

Brad Weber comes into halfback for TJ Perenara, with Beauden Barrett's retention at first five meaning Richie Mo'unga's return will come off the bench.

The only changes in the forwards come in the back row.

Luke Jacobson has recovered from illness and starts at number eight, meaning captain Ardie Savea moves back to openside flanker and Ethan Blackadder drops to the bench.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster said the team was keen to finish the Rugby Championship on a high.

"The energy levels are high in the team, it's our fifth Test in a row, and we're highly motivated ahead of another big Test against South Africa and the last Test of the Championship.

"We've achieved the Championship title, which we're really proud to have achieved. The fact that we now have the chance to achieve a potential Grand Slam against our Southern Hemisphere opponents is pretty special."

Foster said the All Blacks were looking for improvement in their game across the board this week.

"We learnt some lessons last week. We didn't look after the ball as well as we could have and some of our work at the ruck wasn't as good as we wanted.

"We have to lift our performance in that area and the team is keen to get that right this weekend."

The All Blacks have already secured the Rugby Championship after a 19-17 win over the Springboks in Townsville last weekend.

After Saturday night's test the All Blacks will head to the United States ahead of their clash with the US in Washington at the end of next month, before continuing on to Europe for their end of year tour against Wales, Italy, Ireland and France.

The matchday 23 is (Test caps in brackets):

1. Joe Moody (53)

2. Codie Taylor (63)

3. Nepo Laulala (36)

4. Brodie Retallick (88)

5. Scott Barrett (47)

6. Akira Ioane (9)

7. Ardie Savea (55) - captain

8. Luke Jacobson (9)

9. Brad Weber (13)

10. Beauden Barrett (97)

11. Rieko Ioane (43)

12. David Havili (10)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (52)

14. Sevu Reece (13)

15. Jordie Barrett (31)

16. Asafo Aumua (3)

17. George Bower (7)

18. Ofa Tuungafasi (41)

19. Patrick Tuipulotu (40)

20. Ethan Blackadder(6)

21. TJ Perenara (74)

22. Richie Mo'unga (26)

23. Damian McKenzie (36)