Rugby reporter Joe Porter on the latest from South Africa
Richie Mo’unga is back in black.
The Canterbury first-five, who has recently returned from playing in Japan, has been named to start for the All Blacks against the Lions in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.
Mo’unga last played for the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup. He was initially ineligible to be selected for the tour of South Africa, but became eligible to be called in as an injury replacement after taking the field in the NPC.
When midfielder Billy Proctor was forced to head back to New Zealand with a shoulder injury, coach Dave Rennie called Mo’unga into the squad. Now he gets his first chance to impress for the All Blacks.
Richie Mo’unga playing for Canterbury.
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Rennie has made a raft of changes, as expected, for the Lions match from the team that beat the Springboks in the first test, though some players have to back up.
Uncapped prop Saula Ma’u will play his first game for the All Blacks after being named on the bench.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate Saula on making his All Blacks debut. It will be a special day for him and his family,” Rennie said.
“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.”
Saula Ma’u will play for the All Blacks for the first time.
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It’s a quick return to the All Blacks for injury cover players, 68-Test prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah, who are in the reserves.
They only flew in to join the squad on Sunday following head injuries to prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord in the win over South Africa at Ellis Park.
Halfback Noah Hotham has been named to start in his first appearance for the All Blacks this year, while centurion Beauden Barrett is at fullback.
Rieko Ioane is in the midfield with Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa and Fehi Fineanganofo are on the wings.
Pasilio Tosi, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Siale Lauaki start in the front row.
Reserve halfback Kyle Preston starts off the bench to become the only player to have played every game so far on the tour.
Noah Hotham will play for New Zealand for the first time in 2026.
Brett Phibbs
Loose forward Peter Lakai and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who played in the All Blacks victory over the Springboks, will also back up against the Lions.
The side will be captained by veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
Rennie said it’s not easy playing two games so close to each other, but he’s happy with how the squad is placed.
“I’ve been impressed with the way that all players in our squad have responded to the quick turnaround between games. The Lions match comes just three days after the first test match but everyone has been involved in preparing this team to play.
“We know we will have to be at our very best again to prepare for what we know will be another physical match against a Lions side that has been lying in wait.”
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps and non-Test games in brackets. * indicates new All Black):
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (44, 2)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (57, 4) – Captain
6. Wallace Sititi (21, 2)
7. Ethan Blackadder (14, 2)
8. Semisi Ta’eiloa (0, 1)
10. Richie Mo’unga (56, 1)
11. Emoni Narawa (4, 2)
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (2, 2)
14. Fehi Fineanganofo (1, 2)
15. Beauden Barrett (144, 3)
16. Bradley Slater (0, 1)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (68, 2)
20. Peter Lakai (11, 2)
21. Kyle Preston (2, 3)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (91, 3)
