Rugby-All Blacks name new-look side for second tour match


DURBAN, Aug 9 (Reuters) - New ⁠Zealand named a new starting team for the second ⁠match of their South African tour against the ‌Sharks on Tuesday as coach Dave Rennie continued with his policy of giving all the tour party an outing in the early stages of the ​six-week, eight-match tour.

• Luke Jacobson will ⁠captain the All Blacks for ⁠the first time. "He is highly respected, has a great feel ⁠for ‌the game and will lead through his actions,” Rennie said at the team announcement on Sunday.

• Hooker ⁠Asafo Aumua, loose forward Ethan Blackadder, lock Sam ​Darry, prop Ollie ‌Norris, halfback Kyle Preston and winger Caleb Clarke, who ⁠all came ​off the bench against the Stormers in the tour opener on Friday, will start against the Sharks.

• Prop Pasilio Tosi, who started ⁠in the 38-21 win in Cape ​Town, will likely get more game time off the bench.

• Hooker Bradley Slater, who flew in five days ago as a ⁠replacement for the injured George Bell, is set to make his international debut from the bench alongside loose forward Semisi Ta'eiloa.

Team: 15-Damian McKenzie, 14-Fehi Fineanganofo, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, ​10-Ruben Love, 9-Kyle Preston, 8-Wallace Sititi, ⁠7-Luke Jacobson (captain), 6-Tupou Vaa’i, 5-Sam Darry, 4-Josh Lord, 3-Fletcher Newell, 2-Asafo ​Aumua, 1-Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16-Bradley Slater, ‌17-Ollie Norris, 18-Pasilio Tosi, 19-Ethan ​Blackadder, 20-Semisi Ta'eiloa, 21-Cam Roigard, 22-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23-Emoni Narawa.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Durban; Editing by Ed Osmond)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read