Murray Kinsella reports from Queenstown
STEVE HANSEN HAS handed 20-year-old fullback Jordie Barrett and 24-year-old centre Ngani Laumape their first All Blacks starts for Saturday’s final Test against the Lions at Eden Park in Auckland [KO 8.35am Irish time, Sky Sports].
Both backs will win their second caps for the All Blacks, with Barrett having debuted in last month’s win over Samoa, while Laumape was a replacement off the bench in last weekend’s second Test defeat to the Lions.
Hansen has also recalled powerful wing Julian Savea in a bid to add some experience to his backline, the 53-times capped Hurricanes man returning after missing out on selection in the two opening Tests.
Rieko Ioane drops out of the match day squad altogether as a result, with the returning Malakai Fekitoa claiming the All Blacks’ 23 shirt as Israel Daggs moves back to the right wing.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read will win his 100th Test cap against the Lions.
All Blacks (v Lions):
15. Jordie Barrett
14. Isreal Dagg
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
12. Ngani Laumape
11. Julian Savea
10. Beauden Barrett
9. Aaron Smith
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read (captain)
Replacements:
16. Nathan Harris
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Scott Barrett
20. Ardie Savea
21. TJ Perenara
22. Aaron Cruden
23. Malakai Fekitoa
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