Last chance to push Test claims for All Blacks

A first taste of rugby at altitude against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday (NZT), the return to play of acting skipper and hooker Codie Taylor, and tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax continue the All Blacks’ preparation for the first Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test against South Africa.

Adding to the interest around the game is that captain Ardie Savea and replacement back Richie Mo’unga have bolstered the side in the buildup to the first Test.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie explained that in the wake of Billy Proctor’s injury, they looked at the cover they have at centre, with Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa capable of playing in that role.

It felt right, after the first three provincial games in South Africa, to have Mo’unga come in and immerse himself in the All Blacks’ changed structures. He is a good enough player to put the pressure on for Test selection at some stage.

“The thinking is that he wouldn’t be in the first Test but he might get a game against the Lions [ahead of the second Test] to start pushing his claim. I’m not sure when he’ll play Test footy for us, but coming in now and spending time in the environment will accelerate that opportunity.”

They are happy with how Ruben Love is developing, and the form of Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Josh Jacomb.

Of the players still to appear on tour, Rennie said halfback Cam Roigard had been set for 30 minutes against the Sharks, but he pulled up a little lame.

“We’re pretty confident he’ll be right for the first Test, and he’s played a lot of rugby this year.”

Fullback/wing Will Jordan was also intended to play against the Sharks, but he wasn’t quite right for that, and he wasn’t quite right to play the Bulls.

“We need to get decent training into him next week. He’s not quite right, but he’s better.”

It is expected Damian McKenzie will be fit to play if required in the first Test. Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax are both fit to start against the Bulls.

Locks Patrick Tuipulotu and Fabian Holland have not had much play this year, and starting them against the Bulls at high altitude will be good for their lungs.

“Most years in the Super Rugby days, you’d have players coming to the high veldt but there is a fair group here who haven’t had that experience. We’re a fit side and so we’ll back our conditioning.”

Rennie said he hadn’t had much to do with Ioane before the tour but said he has been excellent since joining the squad.

“He’s dynamic with the ball in hand. He had a couple of issues around the high ball, which won’t be such an issue as a midfielder, but he’s contributing well to our defence group. He brings a lot of experience as well, so he’ll be trying to stake a claim for a Test spot next week.

“We brought him over with the thinking that he’s a wing who could cover centre, and now he’s probably going to be a centre. I think he’s realistic that wherever the opportunity lies, he gets to play. He’s happy.”

With Josh Jacomb given the start at the weekend, Rennie said he had an excellent Super Rugby Pacific season, and he wouldn’t have been surprised if he had started at first five-eighths in the final, with Damian McKenzie at fullback.

“That’s the sort of impact he’d had. He’s a confident kid and has a good skill set. What I like about him is his ability to connect in behind, but understand, based on pictures when it’s on to go. We want him to be confident, he’s got good players around him.”

With the first Test looming, Rennie said he is delighted with the competition for places across the team, and there is still a chance for players to make an impression against the Bulls and push for a Test place.

Prop Tyrel Lomax said he is excited to be playing again, after holding tackle bags for the last 10 days, alongside returning captain Codie Taylor and Hurricanes teammate Xavier Numia.

Lomax suffered a cut from his own boot in the Ireland Test in July.

“A maul collapsed on top of me and my boot was facing the wrong way and cut my leg open.”

Second five-eighths Anton Lienert-Brown is familiar with Loftus Versfeld; he made his Super Rugby debut there on the wing as an 18-year-old. He had a daunting experience dealing with a lot of high kicks.

He is looking forward to resuming his combination with Ioane.

“Rieko had an amazing season for Leinster in the URC and he’s brought that experience back. He’s played 88 Tests so I’m very fortunate to be inside him this weekend. His experience for these moments will be valuable for us.”

The All Blacks team is: 1.Xavier Numia, 2.Codie Taylor (captain), 3.Tyrel Lomax, 4.Fabian Holland, 5.Patrick Tuipulotu, 6.Simon Parker, 7.Anton Segner, 8.Peter Lakai, 9.Cortez Ratima, 10.Josh Jacomb, 11.Josh Moorby, 12.Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14.Leroy Carter, 15.Beauden Barrett.

Substitutes: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17.George Bower, 18.Siale Lauaki, 19.Josh Lord, 20.Wallace Sititi, 21.Kyle Preston, 22.Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23.Emoni Narawa.