Rugby-New Zealand select Mo’unga at flyhalf to face Lions on South Africa tour


Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 New Zealand's Richie Mo'unga after being substituted REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 23 (Reuters) - New ⁠Zealand have picked Richie Mo'unga at flyhalf and Beauden ⁠Barrett at fullback for their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour fixture ‌against the Johannesburg-based Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday.

The All Blacks claimed a deserved 33-16 victory over South Africa in the first of four tests in ​the series, but return to action against ⁠the provincial Lions side ahead ⁠of the second clash with the Springboks in Cape Town on ⁠Saturday.

• ‌Mo’unga was a replacement for centre Billy Proctor on the tour after returning from a club stint in ⁠Japan having not played for the All Blacks since ​they lost to ‌the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final ⁠in Paris.

• Rieko ​Ioane starts at centre alongside Timoci Tavatavanawai, and wings Emoni Narawa and Fehi Fineanganofo make up the back three with Barrett.

• Peter Lakai, ⁠Kyle Preston and Anton Lienert-Brown are all ​on the bench having come on as replacements in the test win over South Africa at the weekend.

• "With the naming of this matchday ⁠23, everyone currently in the squad will have played on tour, which is great for creating depth and competition for places in the test team," coach Dave Rennie said.Team: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Fehi ​Fineanganofo, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11-Emoni Narawa, ⁠10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Noah Hotham, 8-Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7-Ethan Blackadder, 6-Wallace Sititi, ​5-Patrick Tuipulotu, 4-Sam Darry, 3-Pasilio Tosi, 2-Samisoni ‌Taukei’aho, 1-Siale LauakiReplacements: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Ofa ​Tu’ungafasi, 18-Saula Mau, 19-Jamie Hannah, 20-Peter Lakai, 21-Kyle Preston, 22-Josh Jacomb, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown.

(Reporting by Nick SaidEditing by Christian Radnedge)

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