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Sam Cane came through his first World Cup hitout off the bench against Italy, and will start this week.
Sam Cane reassumes the All Blacks captaincy for the first time in this Rugby World Cup as the experienced openside flanker leads a vastly changed team charged with closing out pool play in style.
Coach Ian Foster has made nine changes to his starting XV from the 96-17 romp over Italy, and seven more on the bench, in his lineup to face Uruguay in the last Pool A match at Lyon’s OL Stadium on Friday (kickoff 8am NZT).
The All Blacks will probably not be tested in this last group stage contest, though it’s an important match as Foster’s men look to continue to build form, rhythm and confidence ahead of what is shaping as a brutal quarterfinal, against most likely Ireland in Paris to follow nine days later.
The six starting survivors from the Italy romp are right wing Will Jordan, midfielder Jordie Barrett, first five Richie Mo’unga, flanker Shannon Frizell and front-rower Codie Taylor and Ofa Tuungafasi.
Damian McKenzie gets a crack at fullback, Leicester Fainga’anuku on the left wing, while Cam Roigard gets his second start of the tournament at halfback. Anton Lienert-Brown partners Barrett in midfield.
Up front Luke Jacobson joins Cane and Frizell in a rejigged loose trio, Sam Whitelock starts his 150th test alongside Tupou Vaa’i in the second row and tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax makes his first start of the Cup after coming off the bench against Italy.
“We still have everything to play for and our group is preparing accordingly,” said Foster. “We have plenty of respect for a Uruguay side that has showed just how good they can be in their pool games.
“It is a short turnaround from our last game against Italy, but being able to play in Lyon for back-to-back games has helped with our preparation. We are confident in the direction we are heading in so it’s now about putting out another solid performance and growing our game.”
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard; Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barretti, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke.
