RTS finally cracks All Blacks starting fifteen

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has finally cracked the All Blacks starting line-up, named in the midfield for Saturday’s test against Japan in Tokyo.

Tuivasa-Sheck, who left left rugby league side the Warriors to join rugby union last year, will start at second-five while his Blues teamate Stephen Perofeta will also make his first appearance in the starting lineup – named at fullback.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Halfback Finlay Christie has been named to start just his second test with Aaron Smith on the bench.

Smith will equal Dan Carter as the sixth-most capped All Black with 112 Tests if he takes the field.

The side also features the return of 56 test veteran and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who’s been named in the reserves.

Lienert-Brown missed the start of the international season due to a shoulder injury.

Six players have been retained from the team’s win over Australia in Auckland, which clinched the Rugby Championship.

Stephen Perofeta will start at fullback for the All Blacks.
Photo: Photosport/ Anthony Au-Yeung

“This Northern Tour is going to be huge. We see four incredibly tough Tests ahead and this one against Japan will ask some serious questions of us,” said head coach Ian Foster.

“We want to show that we are ready to respond. We want to show that we have put in the work required to lift our game.”

Japan have lost all four tests they’ve played against the All Blacks, the closest they got was the 2018 loss when the Brave Blossoms lost by 38 points, 69-31.

All Blacks starting line-up (tests in brackets):

1. George Bower (19)

2. Dane Coles (84)

3. Nepo Laualala (42)

4. Brodie Retallick (98)

5. Tupou Vaa’i (15)

6. Shannon Frizell (21)

7. Sam Cane (85) (captain)

8. Hoskins Sotutu (12)

9. Finlay Christie (12)

10. Richie Mo’unga (41)

11. Caleb Clarke (11)

12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2)

13. Braydon Ennor (5)

14. Sevu Reece (21)

15. Stephen Perofeta (1)

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (17)

17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (48)

18. Tyrel Lomax (20)

19. Patrick Tuipulotu (42)

20. Dalton Papali’i (18)

21. Aaron Smith (111)

22. David Havili (21)

23. Anton Lienert-Brown (56)

-RNZ