Codie Taylor is set to captain the All Blacks in their upcoming match against the Bulls in Pretoria. This will mark his first time leading the All Blacks, following his return from a calf injury. The hooker brings significant experience from his leadership roles with the Crusaders.
Head coach Dave Rennie confirmed Taylor’s appointment, stating it is a proud moment for the centurion who has made substantial contributions to the team. The match against the Bulls is considered the final warm-up before the first Test against the Springboks.
While Taylor returns, outside back Will Jordan and halfback Cam Roigard will remain absent from the lineup. Jordan had a back issue earlier in the week, and Roigard was a late withdrawal from a previous game due to a tight calf. Although not explicitly mentioned in the team announcement, their absence suggests ongoing injury concerns ahead of the Test match.
Team selections and player opportunities
The team for the Bulls match includes several notable selections. Josh Jacomb will make his first start at first-five, having previously debuted off the bench against the Stormers. Beauden Barrett, who wore the No.10 jersey in that earlier game, will start at fullback for this fixture.
The midfield will feature Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienert-Brown at centre, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby on the wings. In the second row, Fabian Holland and Patrick Tuipulotu are named, while Simon Parker, Anton Segner, and Wallace Sititi will play as loose forwards.
Six players from the squad that defeated the Sharks will also feature against the Bulls. These include Sititi, lock Josh Lord, halfbacks Kyle Preston and Cortez Ratima, midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and outside back Emoni Narawa. Both Preston and Ratima will be playing their third game of the tour.
A total of 14 players named in the 23-man squad for the Bulls match also participated in the opening game against the Stormers. This match presents an important opportunity for players to demonstrate their form and secure spots for the upcoming Test series.
Rennie highlighted the significance of the game, noting the Bulls‘ consistent performance in the United Rugby Championship, reaching the finals in four of the last five years. He acknowledged Loftus Versfeld as a formidable rugby ground and emphasized the healthy competition for Test spots within the squad.
Historical context of Loftus Versfeld
The All Blacks have a notable history at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, a stadium known for its passionate fanbase. The venue, located 1350 metres above sea level, is famous for its rarefied air, which can affect kicking distances. Historically, the All Blacks have a strong record there, with 12 wins and three losses.
Their last defeat at Loftus Versfeld dates back to 1976. This record includes five Test wins against the Springboks, such as a 52-16 victory in 2003. The All Blacks have played at Loftus Versfeld 16 times since 1928, including six Tests against the Springboks and four games against Northern Transvaal, the forerunner to the Bulls.
The All Blacks‘ historical tours also included matches against other opponents at Loftus Versfeld, such as the Junior Springboks, South African Universities, Northern Universities, South African Combined Services, Pretoria, and Pretoria Clubs. They also played Scotland there during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks will be hoping for a less stressful conclusion to their game against the Bulls, which serves as the final warm-up act before the highly anticipated first Test. This match is crucial for players to stake their claim for selection in the upcoming Test series against the Springboks.
The team will remain in Johannesburg until game day, with the trip to Loftus Versfeld taking approximately an hour. Assistant coach Tana Umaga highlighted the team’s focus on maintaining an up-tempo game plan and players pushing for Test spots, emphasizing the importance of playing at their best to earn opportunities in Test matches against South Africa.
Source: allblacks.com
