Beauden Barrett is due to earn his 100th cap for New Zealand after being named at flyhalf in a strong All Blacks side to face Wales.
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Barrett, whose Test career started in 2012, joins an illustrious list of All Blacks centurions including Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Aaron Smith.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster was full of praise for Barrett.
“It’s a very special time for Beauden and his family and it’s also a special time for this team and its legacy. He’s a big part of this team, he’s a key leader, he’s captained the All Blacks, he’s vice-captain on this tour and he’s an influencer on and off the park.
“I can’t speak more highly about his contribution as a person to the black jersey. The chance to play his 100th Test at this stadium [Principality] against Wales is really special.”
Barrett will be joined in the backline by his brother Jordie, who starts at fullback. TJ Perenara has been entrusted the starting scrumhalf jersey and David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown start in the centres. On the wings, Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan continue for the Kiwis.
There have been minor changes in the pack as Whitelock returns to captain the side and Ethan Blackadder partners Ardie Savea and Dalton Papalii in a back row still missing Sam Cane.
Despite Wales not having access to many of their star players because the match falls outside the Test window, Foster is convinced it will be a tough challenge.
“The Welsh will play with their traditional passion and their fans singing in the stadium, and they’ll throw everything at us. They are Six Nations champions and a very good team. They have a group of young players coming through who’ll be excited to play, so we will have to be ready, and we are.”
All Blacks – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Sevu Reece.
