All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made nine changes to his starting XV to play Fiji in Hamilton with veteran duo Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown returning from injury. Savea and Lienert-Brown will both bring up 50 tests for New Zealand after missing the opening two games against Tonga and Fiji. Richie Mo'unga returns to the number 10 jersey with Beauden Barrett moving to the bench. Hurricanes captain Savea reinjured the same knee he damaged earlier this year and has, likewise, been held back from bolstering the loose forward stocks already missing All Blacks captain Sam Cane. Damian McKenzie will start at fullback despite a minor injury concern after dislocating his finger in the first test against Fiji in Dunedin.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 15, 2021 00:00 UTC