Sport

Mo'unga returns to number 10 for All Blacks

16:13 pm on 12 November 2020

Richie Mo'ounga will return to first five for the All Blacks, in a host of changes to the side for Saturday night's test against Argentina in Sydney.

Mo'unga replaces Beauden Barrett following the side's loss to Australia last weekend in Brisbane.

Barrett moves to fullback replacing his brother Jordie who moves onto the right wing with Caleb Clarke on the left.

Last weeks wingers Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece drop out of the playing fifteen with Ioane on the bench and Reece out of the squad altogether.

Aaron Smith starts at halfback in place of TJ Perenara with Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown the midfield combination.

Richie Mo'unga returns to the number 10 jersey for the test against the Pumas. Photo: PhotoSport

In the forwards prop Joe Moody, who missed the last two tests through injury joins Dane Coles and Tyrel Lomax in the front row.

Patrick Tuipulotu, who missed the Brisbane Test with illness, has been named to partner Sam Whitelock at lock with Scott Barrett who was sinbinned in the test out of the squad altogether.

The loose foward trio is Shannon Frizell at six, captain Sam Cane in the seven jersey and Ardie Savea at number eight.

"We were bitterly disappointed with the loss against Australia on the weekend, but we've taken a lot of lessons from that game," said coach Ian Foster.

"Specifically, we need to be smarter in seeing space and executing our plan around that. We also want to continue growing our work at the breakdown, both on attack and in defence, as I feel we are making great progress here.

"We're now into the next phase of the Tournament playing against Argentina and it will be exciting playing a new opposition," Foster added.

The line-up for the test against the Pumas (test caps in brackets):

1. Joe Moody (48)

2. Dane Coles (72)

3. Tyrel Lomax (4)

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (33)

5. Samuel Whitelock (120)

6. Shannon Frizell (12)

7. Sam Cane (72) - captain

8. Ardie Savea (47)

9. Aaron Smith (95)

10. Richie Mo'unga (20)

11. Caleb Clarke (3)

12. Jack Goodhue (16)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (47)

14. Jordie Barrett (21)

15. Beauden Barrett (86)

Reserves:

16. Codie Taylor (54)

17. Alex Hodgman (3)

18. Nepo Laulala (27)

19. Tupou Vaa'i (3)

20. Hoskins Sotutu (3)

21. Brad Weber (6)

22. Rieko Ioane (32)

23. Damian McKenzie (26)