Sports

Barrett to start at fly-half against Wallabies

Barrett to start at fly-half against Wallabies
Beauden Barrett

Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half for the All Blacks this weekend.

On the back of guiding the Hurricanes to a maiden Super Rugby title, the first five‑eighth will steer New Zealand around Sydney's AMI Stadium on Saturday.

There had been a thought that Aaron Cruden might start at number 10 but Barrett will get first crack at Australia.

Cruden started the first two tests of the season, against Wales, before suffering a neck injury.

Barrett was brilliant in Cruden's absence and then played just as well for the Hurricanes.

Barrett won't be joined by his Hurricanes captain Dane Coles.

The hooker is still troubled by the rib injury he sustained in the Super Rugby quarterfinal win over the Sharks.

Nathan Harris will wear the No 2 jumper instead.

Reserve prop Kane Hames will become All Black 1152 should he appear off the bench, having been drafted in as a replacement for Joe Moody.

The two wings are Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo while Malakai Fekitoa and Ryan Crotty make up the midfield combination.

Israel Dagg will start at fullback.

The All Blacks are determined to ensure Saturday isn't the moment the Wallabies' belief returns.

The Wallabies will clash with the All Blacks at 10pm Saturday while South Africa will clash with Argentina at 3.05am Sunday.

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Charlie Faumuina, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Julian Savea.

Source : Stuff.co.nz

FNRL

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
8:00am
Everton vs Conventry
12:30am
Leeds vs Spurs
3:00am
Fulham vs Newcastle
9:05pm
New Zealand vs Tonga
9:05pm
Australia vs Samoa
6:45pm
New Zealand vs Samoa women's national rugby league
4:00pm
Naitasiri vs Ra
Fiji vs France
Fiji vs Ireland
Fiji vs Italy