The All Blacks have made a mix of bold and injury-enforced calls for Saturday's Rugby Championship rematch against the Springboks
The All Blacks have made a mix of bold and injury-enforced calls for Saturday's Rugby Championship rematch against the Springboks
5 September 2024
Rugby editor Elliott Smith is in Cape Town.
******
Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke - arguably two of the All Blacks' best last week - have been ruled out with minor hamstring and calf complaints respectively.
That means a shock call-up for Wallace Sititi at blindside flanker while Mark Tele'a starts on the left wing - on the right in Sevu Reece because in a call no doubt to combat the last 20 malaise in recent times, Will Jordan will start at fullback with Beauden Barrett to add impact off the bench.
Among the other striking selections - Cortez Ratima starts, with TJ Perenara on the bench as a closer.
In Cape Town, with the All Blacks, Elliott Smith.
© 2024 Newstalk ZB, NZCity