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The All Blacks will roll out their big guns to face Georgia in Cardiff on Friday. After playing a reserve side against Namibia, Steve Hansen has reverted to virtually the same lineup that he selected for the Argentina match, with four exceptions – one enforced.
Four players – Liam Messam, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, and Ma’a Nonu – were not considered due to injury. Nonu’s injury means Sonny Bill Williams will again start in the midfield beside Conrad Smith, while the absence of both Barrett and Slade leaves new Zealand with no specialist flyhalf replacement on the bench. TJ Perenara will provide cover if required.
The other changes see Wyatt Crockett and Charlie Faumuina start at prop in place of incumbents Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks, and Waisake Naholo makes his return from a cracked fibula to win his second cap and first of the World Cup on the right wing. Nehe Milner-Skudder is left out of the match day roster to make space.
This will be the first time the two teams have met in test rugby.
NEW ZEALAND
1 Wyatt Crockett 2 Dane Coles 3 Charlie Faumuina 4 Brodie Retallick 5 Sam Whitelock 6 Jerome Kaino 7 Richie McCaw (capt.) 8 Kieran Read 9 Aaron Smith 10 Dan Carter 11 Julian Savea 12 Sonny Bill Williams 13 Conrad Smith 14 Waisake Naholo 15 Ben Smith
16 Keven Mealamu 17 Tony Woodcock 18 Owen Franks 19 Victor Vito 20 Sam Cane 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22 TJ Perenara 23 Malakai Fekitoa
