All Blacks v Springboks
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 6 September
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Emoni Narawa's recall to the All Blacks after only playing one test so far this season is for a few key reasons, coach Scott Robertson explained as his side prepares for this weekend's gigantic test match against the world champion Springboks.
"His aerial skills, his edge defense, his backfield coverage," said Robertson of the Chiefs winger, who started against France in Wellington. Narawa's naming came at the expense of Sevu Reece, who drops out of the squad entirely.
"Just for those things that we know that are coming. So, you know, great opportunity for him and gives us a good balance."
Narawa joins Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane in the All Black back three, with Robertson retaining faith in Ioane after an ineffectual performance in their recent loss to Argentina.
"Rieko's got his opportunity, he's at home. He's spent a lot of time on this field and he's got a lot of skin in the (Eden Park) record. And this is an opportunity, on Saturday night, to show it…we want the best out of him."
Rieko Ioane celebrates a try with Jordie Barrett. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Robertson once again stressed the need for accuracy under the high ball, with the Springboks very much expected to go to the air early and often.
"It's critical for us to win the air and we got the reps we needed this week, the boys looking forward to that."
Elsewhere, Robertson has favoured Simon Parker at blindside, with Wallace Sititi at number eight and Ardie Savea somewhat fittingly running out for his 100th test in the hallowed All Black number seven jersey.
"He's served this jersey over a long period of time, with a lot of heart and a lot of skill. So that humility that you see, around the team off the field and stuff, is who he is. And a good family man."
If that's not enough to play for, the All Blacks are also defending the now-extremely high profile Eden Park unbeaten streak. In the past it's been a narrative they've shied away from, but the combination of the streak now being into its third decade and the world champion Springboks being seen as the most likely to break it, means that it has been an unavoidable topic of conversation this week.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Robertson revealed that he was the one that made the call to play the Springboks at Eden Park, the first time the fixture has been played there since 2013.
"You look back at the stats and it there's a story behind it. When I was asked last year when I took over the job, these two tests, where can you play them? And she's been a long time, let's do it," he said.
"These are the occasions you have to look forward to as a rugby player. As a team and a country. That's why there's so much interest in it. Those records were made on those nights (like this)."
All Blacks side to face the Springboks
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
Unavailable for selection: Patrick Tuipulotu (minor facial fracture), Cortez Ratima (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius), Cam Roigard (foot stress fracture), Noah Hotham (high ankle sprain)
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