Codie Taylor is back. The All Blacks’ first-choice hooker returns from injury to skipper New Zealand against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night, headlining a reshuffled side that blends experience with youthful ambition as the Greatest Rivalry tour reaches the altitude of Pretoria.
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Taylor hasn’t pulled on the black jersey once on this tour, sidelined whilst his teammates dispatched the Stormers and demolished the Sharks. But Dave Rennie has deemed him fit, ready, and worthy of the captain’s armband for what looms as the All Blacks’ sternest test yet on South African soil.
The Bulls are loading the bullets. Loftus will be hostile. And New Zealand have responded with a selection that mixes Test-hardened veterans with hungry youngsters desperate to make their mark in the thin air of the Highveld.
Saturday night is going to be tasty.
Barrett shifts, Carter starts, Ioane slots In
Beauden Barrett anchors the backline at fullback, his experience and game management skills vital in what promises to be a high-octane contest. Out wide, New Zealand’s record try scorer Leroy Carter gets another crack on the right wing, his finishing prowess and positional nous adding genuine threat to the All Blacks’ strike weapons.
Also read: Bulls load Loftus arsenal for All Blacks showdown
The midfield sees Rieko Ioane promoted to outside centre following Billy Proctor’s tour-ending injury sustained against the Stormers. Ioane’s power, footwork, and defensive brutality make him a formidable proposition in the 13 channel, and he’ll partner Anton Lienert-Brown in what looms as a physical examination against the Bulls’ crash-ball merchants.
Josh Moorby occupies the left wing, whilst the halfback pairing features youngster Josh Jacomb at flyhalf and Cortez Ratima at scrumhalf. It’s a combination built on tempo and ambition, exactly the kind of approach Rennie has been championing throughout this tour.
Roigard still Absent, Taylor takes the reins
First-choice scrumhalf Cam Roigard remains conspicuous by his absence. He hasn’t featured once on tour after being forced to withdraw from the Sharks match, and there’s still no sign of his return to the matchday squad. His ongoing unavailability places added responsibility on Ratima to control the tempo and execute the All Blacks’ game plan with precision.
Taylor’s return at hooker provides vital leadership and set-piece nous. The captain’s armband sits comfortably on his shoulders, and his presence adds steel to a forward pack that will need to stand firm against a Bulls outfit renowned for their physicality at altitude.
Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax bookend the front row, whilst Patrick Tuipulotu and Fabian Holland form the second-row partnership. The loose trio features Peter Lakai at number eight, with Anton Segner and Simon Parker flanking him in what shapes as a mobile, high-workrate back row.
Firepower on the bench
Rennie has stacked genuine quality amongst his replacements. Samisoni Taukei’aho provides explosive impact at hooker, whilst Wallace Sititi, one of the stars of the tour so far, offers game changing ability from the pine. Kyle Preston covers scrumhalf, with Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa adding speed and strike power in the backs.
Josh Lord, the athletic lock who’s impressed throughout the tour, waits in reserve to add lineout height and physicality when called upon.
Loftus awaits
The Bulls are primed. Loftus is ready. And now the All Blacks have shown their hand.
Saturday night at altitude promises to be the most physically demanding encounter of the Greatest Rivalry tour. The Bulls will bring forward brutality, set-piece power, and home advantage at a venue where opposition sides come to suffer.
But New Zealand arrive with confidence surging after consecutive victories, their captain back from injury, and a game plan built on pace, precision, and pressure. Taylor leads. Barrett orchestrates. Carter finishes.
Kick-off is at 19:00. Buckle up.
New Zealand team to face the Bulls:
Starting XV: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Anton Segner, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Emoni Narawa
