All Blacks name Ethan de Groot and Jordie Barrett to start against Scotland
Dave Rennie’s side makes two changes to its starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test at Murrayfield, with five changes overall from the Australia match.
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie named Ethan de Groot and Jordie Barrett in the All Blacks’ starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, according to Reuters. De Groot replaces George Bower at loosehead prop, while Barrett returns at centre in place of Timoci Tavatavanawai.
The changes follow New Zealand’s 43-21 win over Australia in Sydney on October 17. Jordie Barrett is returning from injury, the New Zealand Herald reported. Codie Taylor captains the side, which retains Beauden Barrett at fullback and Damian McKenzie at fly-half.
Five changes to the All Blacks matchday squad
There are three further changes among the replacements. Asafo Aumua is selected ahead of injured hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, Christian Lio-Willie replaces injured loose forward Shannon Frizell, and Anton Segner is included instead of Duplessis Kirifi. Reuters reported Kirifi was not selected for New Zealand’s month-long tour of Britain.
The full starting XV is Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor and Ethan de Groot. The replacements are Aumua, Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Lio-Willie, Segner, Cortez Ratima, Tavatavanawai and Rieko Ioane.
Scotland restore Russell and Tuipulotu
Scotland have also made substantial changes. BBC Sport reported that captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell return to the hosts’ starting XV, alongside backs Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Ben White and Jamie Dobie. Gregor Townsend’s team last played in July, beating Fiji 33-17; Saturday’s Test is the first of four matches Scotland are scheduled to play that month.
The New Zealand Herald reported that injuries had ruled out nine All Blacks for the remainder of the year, including Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Caleb Clarke, Ruben Love and Tyrel Lomax. The report said Richie Mo’unga, who had a calf complaint, was expected to return the following weekend against Wales.
New Zealand have not lost to Scotland in 33 previous Tests, Reuters reported, winning 31 and drawing two. The scheduled match is part of the Nations Championship; its result was not yet available ahead of kickoff.
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Sources and context
- De Groot and Barrett to start for All Blacks against ScotlandCNA, carrying Reuters reporting
- Scotland v New Zealand: Finn Russell & Sione Tuipulotu start for hosts against All BlacksBBC Sport
- All Blacks v Scotland: Dave Rennie taking no chances to select strongest teamNew Zealand Herald
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.