New Zealand team news: Steve Hansen sticks with Beauden Barrett-Richie Mo’unga tandem for opener against South Africa
Steve Hansen has opted to deploy the dual playmaker approach having experimented with it during New Zealand’s summer preparations
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Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand will deploy Beauden Barrett at full-back and Richie Mo’unga at fly-half for the side’s World Cup opener against South Africa in Yokohama.
Head coach Steve Hansen has opted to stick with the dual playmaker approach having experimented with the Barrett-Mo’unga tandem during New Zealand’s summer preparations.
Elsewhere in the backline, Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown have been handed a starting berth at 12 and 13 respectively, with two-time World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams on the bench, while Sevu Reece and George Bridge start on the wings.
Captain Kieran Read is joined by Ardie Savea and Sam Cane in the back row, while Scott Barrett edged out Patrick Tuipulotu to partner Sam Whitelock at lock.
Having drawn 16-16 earlier this year in the Rugby Championship, the two teams renew their historic rivalry at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium on Saturday 21 at 10.45am (BST).
New Zealand starting XV: Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Nepu Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Shannon Frizell, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith.
Pocock and Hooper combine for Wallabies' World Cup opener against Fiji
David Pocock and Michael Hooper will combine in the back row for the first time this year when two-time champion Australia open their World Cup campaign against Fiji on Saturday.
Pocock has missed most of the season because of injury but returned in a warm-up match against Samoa and did enough to earn his place in the back row at the expense of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, shifting to the blindside flank.
Hooper will start on the openside and Salakaia-Loto is expected to come in off the bench. Two of the best openside flankers in the game, Pocock and Hooper have regularly combined in the backrow to give Australia speed to the breakdown.
Christian Lealiifano retained his spot at flyhalf in favor of Bernard Foley, who was left out of the match-day 23.
Australia starting XV: Kurtley Beale, Reece Hodge, James O'Connor, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Christian Leali'ifano, Nic White; Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Allan Allalatoa, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio.
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Adam Coleman, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Dane Haylett-Petty.
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