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All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris has suffered a cruel blow, suffering an ACL injury just hours before he was due to start against Australia in the opening round of the Rugby Championship. The 24-year-old will now miss the entirety of the competition and faces several months on the sidelines. It’s the second significant injury Harris has suffered in his young career after suffering an ankle injury in his first test start against the US Eagles in November 2014, causing him to miss the entire 2015 Super Rugby season.
Stepping into the run-on side is Crusaders starter Codie Taylor who makes his second test start. First choice hooker Dane Coles, originally slated to miss the game to rest some sore ribs, has now been called up to the bench. A decision on a permanent replacement in the squad will be made next week.
NEW ZEALAND (revised)
1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (capt.), 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Beauden Barrett, 11 Waisake Naholo, 12 Ryan Crotty, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 14 Ben Smith, 15 Israel Dagg
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Julian Savea
