Richie Mo’unga returns at first-five and hooker Codie Taylor assumes the captaincy as All Blacks coach Dave Rennie names five fresh starters to face South Africa in Baltimore on Sunday, following a defeat in Soweto.
The All Blacks touch down in the United States facing a challenge at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium to conclude their four-match tour against the Springboks. With the series already settled in favor of the world champions following a victory in Soweto, the touring side must secure a victory across the Atlantic to level the encounter at two matches apiece.
The venue, home to the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, provides a stage for the tour finale.
Personnel Overhaul and Leadership Changes
The physical toll of the schedule has forced a significant reshuffling of the tourist squad. Regular captain Ardie Savea suffered a dislocated shoulder during the first half of the third Test in Soweto, while Luke Jacobson sustained an injury, and centre Quinn Tupaea was injured. All three players have returned home alongside other members of the touring party.
In Savea’s absence, hooker Codie Taylor takes over the captaincy. Taylor returns to the starting lineup after being omitted from the matchday 23 in Soweto, where Asafo Aumua performed in the No 2 jersey. Taylor’s reinstatement forces Aumua back to the bench while Samisoni Taukei’aho drops out of the squad entirely.
Head coach Dave Rennie insisted that the extensive changes were part of a plan rather than a reactive measure to last weekend’s 29-24 loss. We always planned for there to be a number of changes for this match,
Rennie said.
“Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to prepare the team for the seven games we’ve played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it.”
Dave Rennie, Head Coach
Richie Mo’unga Returns to the Test Arena
The most notable inclusion is Richie Mo’unga, who steps back into the No 10 jersey for his first international appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. The 32-year-old has spent most of the last three years playing club rugby in Japan but has recommitted to the All Blacks ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia.
Mo’unga’s return displaces Ruben Love, who had established himself as the first-choice first-five under Rennie but misses out on the matchday 23 entirely. Veteran Beauden Barrett provides flyhalf cover from the bench.
Baltimore Test Lineups and Stakes
Five players make their first Test starts of the tour in Baltimore: Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ethan Blackadder, Mo’unga, and Anton Lienert-Brown. Newell packs down at tighthead prop with Tyrel Lomax moving to the reserves, while Tuipulotu partners Sam Darry in the lock department. In the loose trio, Tupou Vaa’i shifts to blindside flanker alongside Peter Lakai at No 8 and Blackadder on the openside.
Rennie acknowledged the objectives before the squad returns home. We have everything to play for on Saturday. It is our chance to draw the series and end the tour with a performance to be proud of,
Rennie noted.
