Wallace Sititi. Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
Scotland v All Blacks
Kick-off: 4.10am
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Wallace Sititi has been rewarded for a strong performance against Ireland last weekend, named to start at blindside flanker for Sunday morning's test against Scotland. It's a homecoming of sorts for Sititi, who lived in Scotland till age five when his father Semo played for Border Reivers. The Manu Samoa international named his son after Scottish folk hero Sir William Wallace, of Braveheart fame.
It's a big week for the Sititi family. Semo and mother Rosalind are not in Edinburgh to watch their son this weekend, instead supporting daughter Maruseana in the finals of the Miss Samoa pageant being held in Apia.
Sititi joins Peter Lakai and Ardie Savea in the starting loose forwards, with Du'Plessis Kirifi coming onto the bench. That means Simon Parker drops out of the squad, with Kirifi coming back for his first test since the All Blacks' record loss against the Springboks in Wellington.
Du’Plessis Kirifi scores against France. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Scott and Jordie Barrett are ruled out with injury, so Josh Lord and Leicester Fainga'anuku will unsurprisingly start at lock and centre respectively. That sees Sam Darry enter the 23 as lock cover, while the midfield reshuffle means Quinn Tupaea will start at second-five and Billy Proctor will come onto the bench.
Savea will captain the side in Scott Barrett's absence, with Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett on vice-captain duties.
Scotland have famously never beaten the All Blacks in 120 years of trying. They are celebrating 100 years of international rugby at Murrayfield in this fixture, a venue the All Blacks have fashioned an even longer unbeaten streak in years than they have at Eden Park - stretching all the way back to 1935. All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said these records will add to the occasion and give both teams plenty of motivation heading into the match.
"We are honoured to be part of the 100th anniversary of rugby at Murrayfield, it will be a special occasion. We have a proud history with Scotland and recent games between us have been close. We have named the best team to reflect the challenge we know Scotland will present."
All Blacks team to face Scotland
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Damian McKenzie
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Unavailable for selection: Scott Barrett - leg laceration, Jordie Barrett - high ankle.
