Steve Hansen has named his New Zealand team to play Namibia this Thursday evening, retaining just three players in the starting XV from the team that beat Argentina on opening weekend.
Lock Sam Whitelock and wingers Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder are the only survivors from that hard-fought win, although Crockett, Franks, Read, McCaw, Nonu and Smith are all named on the bench.
Sam Cane captains the team for the first time ever, continuing his grooming for taking over McCaw’s role after the World Cup. Hurricanes pair TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett are the half-backs, while Sonny Bill Williams starts in the centre with Malakai Fekitoa.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “It’s a very special moment for 23-year-old Sam Cane who will captain the All Blacks for the first time. He’s in our leadership group, is hugely respected by everyone, is a fierce and fearless player and is someone who has the potential of being a long-term captain of the All Blacks in the future.
“At the completion of this match, 30 of the 31 players in our squad will have experienced time in the middle of the park which will give us a good foundation base going forward and which was always part of our planning pre-Tournament. It’s now their time to step up.
“Five of our team will also be playing their first Rugby World Cup match so it’ll be a significant moment for them and their families as well.”
NEW ZEALAND TEAM TO PLAY NAMIBIA
15 Colin Slade, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Tony Woodcock, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Richie McCaw, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Ma’a Nonu, 23 Ben Smith.
Date: Thursday, September 24
Venue: The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Kick-off: 20:00 local (19:00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Keeping just 3 players from the previous game yet still an incredibly strong team!
Lets be fair. One could put out an ITM Cup team and still beat Namibia.
2 loosehead props on the bench, and Ben Franks (who’s mostly a tight head) starting at loose head. A bit of a gamble.