Tuipulotu to lead New Zealand in South African tour opener / Photo: Michael Bradley - AFP
Tuipulotu to lead New Zealand in South African tour opener
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain New Zealand for the second time when they open an eight-match South African tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday.
The 33-year-old forward, who has made 57 Test appearances, previously led the All Blacks against Japan three years ago.
He is among six New Zealanders involved in the 40-21 Nations Championship victory over Ireland in Auckland last month who are part of the matchday 23.
Josh Moorby, a winger against the Irish, moves to full-back. Inside centre Anton Lienert-Brown and scrum-half Cortez Ratima have been elevated from replacements to starters.
Ratima will be partnered at half-back by 144-Test cap playmaker Beauden Barrett, who lost his place in the Nations Championship line-up this season to Ruben Love
Flanker Peter Lakai, another replacement in Auckland, has also been promoted to the starting line-up.
Wing Caleb Clarke, a substitute against Ireland, will start the Stormers match in a similar role.
Head coach Dave Rennie included prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb on the bench for Cape Town, and they are set to make their All Blacks debuts.
"I want to congratulate new All Blacks Siale and Josh. It will be a very exciting and proud day for them and their families," said head coach Dave Rennie
Stormers have included 39-year-old flanker and former Springbok Rugby World Cup winner Deon Fourie, who has recovered from a bicep injury.
Versatile Fourie came off the bench after only four minutes of the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand in Paris to replace injured hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
There are three other Springboks in the pack -- hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, tighthead prop Neethling Fouche and No. 8 Evan Roos.
- History -
Another South Africa prop, Ntuthuko Mchunu, is among the replacements. He has been temporarily released from a group preparing in Johannesburg for the four-Test series against New Zealand.
Full-back Warrick Gelant is a former Springbok and fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed and scrum-half Imad Khan form an exciting half-back partnership.
Ahmed starred for the national under-20 team last month in Georgia, where they were crowned world champions.
A number of Stormers stars will miss the match as they are on international duty in Argentina, where South Africa play a one-off Test on Saturday.
The absentees include fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, scrum-half Cobus Reinach, prop Zachary Porthen and loose forwards Siya Kolisi and Ben-Jason Dixon.
"This is history in the making as the Stormers take on New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it one to remember for our fans," said head coach John Dobson.
"For a club side to take on an international team ranked second in the world is a massive opportunity and one that everyone is looking forward to."
Teams (15-1)
New Zealand: Josh Moorby; Leroy Carter, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Cortez Ratima; Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker; Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Fabian Holland; Pasilio Tosi, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bower
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ollie Norris, Siale Lauaki, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb, Caleb Clarke
Coach: Dave Rennie (NZL)
Stormers: Warrick Gelant; Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (capt), Jonathan Roche, Leolin Zas; Yaqeen Ahmed, Imad Khan; Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani, Deon Fourie; Connor Evans, Adre Smith; Neethling Fouche, Andre-Hugo Venter, Vernon Matongo
Replacements: JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, Ruan Ackermann, Keke Morabe, Wandile Mlaba, Dewaldt Duvenage, Wandisile Simelane
Coach: John Dobson (RSA)
E.Abel--VZ
