Rennie makes eight changes for Sydney Test as Holland returns and Kirifi gets a surprise bench spot
Fabian Holland is back in the All Blacks' starting side. Dave Rennie has made eight changes to the matchday 23 for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test at Accor Stadium in Sydney, 1News reported.
Holland partners Scott Barrett at lock. George Bower moves from the bench to start at loosehead. Josh Moorby also comes off the bench to start on the left wing, replacing Leroy Carter, who has an ankle injury.
New Zealand have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year. Planet Rugby said that has freed the coaches to make changes with the November Nations Championship matches in the northern hemisphere in mind.
Holland was named the 2025 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year but was left out for the Eden Park Test. Rennie said after naming the team that the coaches had asked him to make some "shifts" in his game, without saying what they were, Planet Rugby reported. Sydney is Holland's chance to show he has made them before the squad heads north.
Planet Rugby called Du'Plessis Kirifi's place on the bench the most surprising selection. He joined the squad only after the win over the Wallabies at Eden Park. Before that he had missed both the July Nations Championship fixtures and the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.
Rennie said the coaches had flagged Kirifi's work at the breakdown.
"There are a couple of areas that we asked him to work on, especially post-tackle, and it's more around technical excellence," Rennie said. "He's been sending us videos showing him training it and so on."
Injuries forced Rennie's hand too. "With the guys we got missing in Anton, Ardie, Luke and Ethan as well, we felt we needed someone to give us genuine post-tackle presence," Rennie said. Anton Segner, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Ethan Blackadder are all injured.
Shannon Frizell is also on the bench rather than starting. Tupou Vaa'i keeps the No 6 jersey after what Rennie called his "best game in the six jersey".
Timoci Tavatavanawai gets his first Test selection under Rennie and joins the reserves.
"Big Jim comes in; he has been great in the environment," Rennie said. "He's got a real point of difference, and we think he can offer a massive impact off the bench."
1News listed the full bench. Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, prop Xavier Numia, Kirifi, halfback Cortez Ratima and Tavatavanawai come into the 23. Prop Pasilio Tosi, Frizell and outside back Rieko Ioane complete the reserves.
Ratima finally gets his chance. He was injured in the tour matches in South Africa, so Kyle Preston covered Cam Roigard against the Springboks and against Australia.
Planet Rugby said the backline is otherwise unchanged. Damian McKenzie stays at first five because Ruben Love and Richie Mo'unga are injured. Beauden Barrett will win his 147th Test cap. It is his third straight Test this year and his second start.
Australia have made a change of their own. Carlo Tizzano returns to the Wallabies' bench, Planet Rugby also reported.