All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has opted to keep Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown in the midfield for their quarter-final against Ireland in Tokyo on Sunday.
Goodhue missed the All Blacks’ opener against the Springboks with a hamstring injury, but has subsequently performed against Canada and Namibia. He starts alongside Lienert-Brown, with Sonny Bill Williams on the bench and Ryan Crotty left out of the match-day 23 altogether.
Beauden Barrett will take up his regular position at fullback, with Richie Mo’unga back to form the halfback combination with Aaron Smith. There is no place for utility back Ben Smith in the squad.
Brodie Retallick, who was also unavailable against South Africa, forms the second-row combination with Sam Whitelock for a record 53rd time. Codie Taylor will start at hooker as Dane Coles has been struggling with a hamstring injury.
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
