New Zealand coach Ian Foster has changed most of his team from the one that lost three weeks ago to South Africa.
We start again without taking the same ones for Ian Foster. The New Zealand coach has completely overhauled his starting XV for the test match against the United States, three weeks after the loss against the Springboks. The third line wing Luke Jacobson is the only survivor of this match against South Africa.
He will find at his side the veteran Sam Whitelock, back in selection and who will wear the captain’s armband. In the front row, pillar Ethan de Groot will be established for the first time, alongside Angus Ta’avao and hooker Asafo Aumua, whose second participation in an international meeting. Finlay Christie will also experience a first start in the scrum and will form an unprecedented hinge with Richie Mo’unga at the opening.
Quinn Tupaea will play in the center next to the neophyte Braydon Ennor. Will Jordan and George Bridge will start on the wings with Damian McKenzie at the back. Third row wing Sam Cane, back in the squad after months with pectoral muscle surgery, will be on the bench to wait for a 75th cape.
«We’ve had a great week of preparation here in Washington. After slowly gaining intensity, we got down to work. It’s time to get our rhythm back after our break in Australia, with a few players who haven’t played in a whileIan Foster said. The All Blacks will face Wales in Cardiff on October 30, Italy in Rome on November 6, Ireland in Dublin on November 13 and finally France in Paris on November 20.
– .
