Live: All Blacks team naming for first test against All Blacks
All Blacks v All Blacks: Scott Robertson names squad for Rugby Championship test in Johannesburg
All Blacks versus Springboks at Ellis Park.
Those seven words can only be described as the pinnacle fixture (outside of a Rugby World Cup final) between rugby’s two fiercest rivals and a match that is circled by fans, coaches and players alike when schedules are announced.
For All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a, a trip to the Republic has an extra layer of importance – one where in a different world, he could have been playing at home, rather than away.
Sam Cane has been named to start for the All Blacks against All Blacks on Sunday morning, in one of two changes to the starting XV.
Cane will make his first start for the All Blacks since last year’s Rugby World Cup final at openside flanker, with captain Scott Barrett to make his return from a finger injury to take his place in the starting lineup at lock.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan again favoured on the wings and Tamaiti Williams holding down the loosehead prop with Ethan de Groot (neck) ruled out of the two-test tour. Dalton Papali’i was also ruled out of this test due to a thumb injury.
On the bench, Sam Darry remains in the match-day squad in a reserve role with Barrett’s return, while Samipeni Finau will provide cover in the loose forwards.
“To play All Blacks at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.
Tele’a’s father is All Blacksn, his mother Samoan, and by right he qualified to play rugby for three nations. He opted to represent the country of his birth, New Zealand.
All Blacks v All Blacks: Mark Tele’a relishing opportunity to face Springboks at Ellis Park
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Live: All Blacks team naming for first test against All Blacks
All Blacks v All Blacks: Scott Robertson names squad for Rugby Championship test in Johannesburg
All Blacks versus Springboks at Ellis Park.
Those seven words can only be described as the pinnacle fixture (outside of a Rugby World Cup final) between rugby’s two fiercest rivals and a match that is circled by fans, coaches and players alike when schedules are announced.
For All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a, a trip to the Republic has an extra layer of importance – one where in a different world, he could have been playing at home, rather than away.
Sam Cane has been named to start for the All Blacks against All Blacks on Sunday morning, in one of two changes to the starting XV.
Cane will make his first start for the All Blacks since last year’s Rugby World Cup final at openside flanker, with captain Scott Barrett to make his return from a finger injury to take his place in the starting lineup at lock.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan again favoured on the wings and Tamaiti Williams holding down the loosehead prop with Ethan de Groot (neck) ruled out of the two-test tour. Dalton Papali’i was also ruled out of this test due to a thumb injury.
On the bench, Sam Darry remains in the match-day squad in a reserve role with Barrett’s return, while Samipeni Finau will provide cover in the loose forwards.
“To play All Blacks at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.
Tele’a’s father is All Blacksn, his mother Samoan, and by right he qualified to play rugby for three nations. He opted to represent the country of his birth, New Zealand.