By Nick Mulvenney
LYON, France (Reuters) – Sam Cane will return as All Blacks captain in their final World Cup Pool A game against Uruguay on Thursday, when a bonus-point win would guarantee New Zealand a spot in the knockout rounds.
Coach Ian Foster made nine changes to the starting side that thrashed Italy 96-17 at the same OL Stadium last weekend, resting regular starters such as Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith and Rieko Ioane ahead of the quarter-finals.
“It is a short turnaround from our last game against Italy but being able to play in Lyon for back-to-back games has helped with our preparation,” Foster said in a news release.
“We are confident in the direction we are heading so it’s now about putting out another solid performance and growing our game.”
Lock Sam Whitelock will make his 150th test appearance in the starting second row along with Tupou Vaa’i, having surpassed Richie McCaw as the most-capped All Black as a replacement against Italy.
Tyrel Lomax comes back into the front row at tighthead prop after returning off the bench against Italy having missed the opening 27-13 loss to pool leaders France and 71-3 win over Namibia with a nasty gash to his leg that required 30 stitches.
Cane also came off the bench after a back problem last week and his return to the starting side means Dalton Papali’i drops out with Ethan Blackadder, a squad injury replacement for winger Emoni Narawa, covering the loose forwards from the bench.
Blindside flanker Shannon Frizell gets another run out after a good showing against Italy on his return from a hamstring strain, while Damian McKenzie has a rare start at fullback with Beauden Barrett benched.
Jordie Barrett keeps the family name in the starting lineup, however, after being selected in the centres with Anton Leinart-Brown after making his comeback from a knee problem with a standout performance in the Italy drubbing.
New Zealand team:
15-Damian McKenzie, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Anton Leinart-Brown, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Luke Jacobson, 7-Sam Cane (captain), 6-Shannon Frizell, 5-Tupou Vaa’i, 4-Sam Whitelock, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Ethan Blackadder, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Caleb Clarke
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Ken Ferris)
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