All Blacks v Wales: Rennie makes 10 changes as Barrett takes captaincy

By Liam Napier in Cardiff 

All Blacks v Wales – 3.10am, Sunday 

Beauden Barrett will captain the All Blacks for the first time in a test match as the All Blacks usher in tempered rotation for Wales in Cardiff this weekend. 

Dave Rennie has made 10 changes to the All Blacks match day squad that secured a bonus-point win against Scotland in the first match of the northern leg of their Nations Championship campaign – yet the team for Wales retains a core of incumbents. 

In sweeping starting changes, Asafo Aumua and George Bower come into the front row, Anton Segner is promoted for his first test start at blindside flanker and Josh Lord returns to partner Scott Barrett at lock. 

Across the backline, Cortez Ratima and Richie Mo’unga link in a new halves pairing, Anton Lienert-Brown dons the No 12 jersey and Fehi Fineanganofo gets his maiden test start on the right wing. 

With Ardie Savea ruled out for the remainder of the year and Codie Taylor rested for this match, Rennie hands the captaincy to Barrett, the All Blacks most experienced figure, in his 149th test. 

Barrett was forced to be patient in the early stages of Rennie’s tenure. He missed selection in the three July tests before being largely confined to the mid-week team in South Africa. 

Injuries to Ruben Love and Mo’unga, and Damian McKenzie’s switch from fullback to first five-eighth, paved the way for Barrett’s recall to the test side. He’s since struck form against the Wallabies and Scotland. 

“Beauden brings such valuable experience and is massively respected by us all. Captaining the All Blacks in a test is an honour that I know he doesn’t take lightly so it’ll be a proud day for him and his whānau,” Rennie said. 

Further changes come on the bench where forwards George Bell, Xavier Numia, Jamie Hannah and Ethan Blackadder are in line for their first appearances of the tour. 

Intrigue centres on where Leicester Fainga’anuku features off the bench, too, in his new hybrid role. 

There is, however, no room for playmaker Josh Jacomb and prop Saula Ma’u – both of whom must wait for their test debuts. 

With bigger tests to follow in the coming weeks, they now appear unlikely to feature on this tour unless injuries strike. 

With Lienert-Brown returning, Quinn Tupaea retained at centre and Rieko Ioane covering midfield and wing from the bench, Timoci Tavatavanawai is among those to miss selection. 

A rest week for McKenzie ends his run of 38 successive tests for the All Blacks. 

Against the 10th-ranked Welsh, who have not beaten the All Blacks for 73 years, Rennie could have gone further by resting regular starters Josh Moorby, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi and Fletcher Newell but he is clearly keen to strike a balance between offering opportunities and retaining cohesion. 

The All Blacks will seek another bonus point win in their ongoing quest to leapfrog the Springboks into the Nations Championship final. 

“We have created good depth in this group and there is a lot of competition for places. We have selected a strong side with 783 caps. 

“Wales are a proud rugby nation and building nicely under Steve Tandy. We are well aware of the threat they pose and the challenge of playing in front of a passionate crowd at Principality Stadium.” 

All Blacks team: 

1. George Bower, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Fehi Fineanganofo, 15. Beauden Barrett (C) 

16. George Bell, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 22. Kyle Preston, 23. Rieko Ioane 

Unavailable due to injury: Will Jordan (hamstring) 

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast. 

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