All Blacks recall Savea

All Blacks wing Julian Savea will start against the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday.

Coach Steve Hansen has made just one change to the starting lineup that fronted the Springboks two weeks ago. Savea, who wasn't part of that match 23 for tactical reasons, is picked ahead of Waisake Naholo on the left wing.

Regular openside flank Sam Cane will make his comeback from a hamstring injury via the New Zealand Cup. Hansen has opted for Matt Todd as a starter ahead of Ardie Savea, just as he did in the recent game against the Boks.

On the bench, two changes were made. Centre Malakai Fekitoa and flyhalf Aaron Cruden look set to make an impact in the second stanza of the match.

'The squad is feeling refreshed and raring to go after our return from South Africa, and we're all looking forward to what we know is a hugely anticipated test match at Eden Park,' the All Blacks coach said.

The All Blacks will be chasing an 18th straight Test win this Saturday. No tier-one Test nation has ever won more than 17 games in succession.

All Blacks – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Post by