Four new caps in All Blacks team for Tonga match

Quinn Tupaea in action during an All Blacks training session at Trusts Stadium in Auckland...
Quinn Tupaea in action during an All Blacks training session at Trusts Stadium in Auckland earlier this week. Photo: Getty Images
There are four new caps in the All Blacks team named to play Tonga in Auckland on Saturday night.

Quinn Tupaea will start at second five-eighth, with prop George Bower, loose forward Ethan Blackadder and halfback Finlay Christie set to make their test debuts from the bench.

Experienced hooker Dane Coles will start in his 75th test alongside props Karl Tu’inukuafe and the returning Angus Ta’avao. Hooker Asafo Aumua will provide impact off the bench, with Tyrel Lomax the other reserve prop alongside Bower.

Scott Barrett and Captain Samuel Whitelock are starting locks, with Patrick Tuipulotu coming off the bench.

In the loose forwards, Akira Ioane is at six and Dalton Papalii is in the number seven jersey, and Luke Jacobson will start at number eight.

In the backs, Brad Weber will make his first test start in his eighth test, inside Richie Mo’unga at 10, while Rieko Ioane will provide support at centre outside Tupaea.

George Bridge returns to the All Blacks side on the left wing with Will Jordan on the right and Damian McKenzie at fullback. The other back reserves alongside Christie are Jordie and Beauden Barrett.

All Blacks to play Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday. (Test caps in brackets):
 
Karl Tu’inukuafe (17), Dane Coles (74), Angus Ta’avao (14), Scott Barrett (36), Samuel Whitelock (122) – captain, Akira Ioane (2), Dalton Papalii (4), Luke Jacobson (2), Brad Weber (7), Richie Mo’unga (22), George Bridge (10), Quinn Tupaea (new cap), Rieko Ioane (33), Will Jordan (2), Damian McKenzie (27), Asafo Aumua (1), George Bower (new cap), Tyrel Lomax (6), Patrick Tuipulotu (35), Ethan Blackadder (new cap), Finlay Christie (new cap), Beauden Barrett (88), Jordie Barrett (23).

 

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