Get Newsletter

Savea answers late All Blacks call

The All Black loose forward, who suffered a groin injury during training on Thursday, will be replaced by livewire Ardie Savea.

ADVERTISEMENT

All Black coach Steve Hansen said he expected Savea to be especially dangerous, after initially being omitted from the matchday 23 for the trans-Tasman outing.

"He's had the disappointment after not being named, so he's probably a little angry about that," he said.

"I'm sure he'll come out wanting to prove a point.

"He's a good player and someone we've got a lot of faith in.

"We were looking to give him a bit of a breather, but that's not possible now.

"He's got a skillset that can be challenging when he's got ball in hand and we just want him to be stronger over the ball and he'll look to do that,"

ADVERTISEMENT

New Zealand captain Kieran Read said Savea would be a handy injection late in the game.

"He's had plenty of opportunities and he brings a unique skill set," he said.

"He's a pretty powerful man with the ball in hand and just (expecting) him to do his job when we come on the field late in the game.

"It's crucial for those guys on the bench to make an impact,"

ADVERTISEMENT

Todd is expected to be fit for the All Blacks’ end of year tour to the Northern Hemisphere.

New Zealand – revised: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Kane Hames.

Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Thomas Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 David Havili.

Date: Saturday, October 21

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Australia

Kick-off: 19.05 (22.05 NZ time; 09.05 GMT)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Egon Seconds (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Source: @rugbycomau

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 1 | Will Skelton

ABBIE WARD: A BUMP IN THE ROAD

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

New Zealand crowned BACK-TO-BACK champions | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Women's Highlights

Japan Rugby League One | Bravelupus v Steelers | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment