Beauden Barrett starts as All Blacks name strong team for Stormers clash

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has selected a strong starting XV for New Zealand’s opening match of their Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, with Beauden Barrett named at fly-half against the Stormers.

Barrett will wear the number 10 jersey, while Cortez Ratima starts at scrum-half. Patrick Tuipulotu has been appointed captain and will lead the side from the second row.

The backline includes Rieko Ioane on the wing and veteran Anton Lienert-Brown at inside centre. Leroy Carter, the team’s leading try-scorer, also starts on the wing.

Josh Moorby is selected at full-back, with Billy Proctor completing the midfield alongside Lienert-Brown. The starting back three is therefore made up of Moorby, Carter and Ioane, with Barrett and Ratima forming the half-back pairing.

Wallace Sititi starts at number eight, with Peter Lakai and Simon Parker named as the flankers. Tuipulotu partners Fabian Holland in the second row.

The front row consists of tight-head prop Pasilio Tosi, hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and loose-head prop George Bower.

New Zealand’s starting XV is:

15 Josh Moorby, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.

The replacements are Asafo Aumua, Ollie Norris, Siale Lauaki, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb and Caleb Clarke.

Barrett’s inclusion gives the All Blacks an experienced option at fly-half for the first fixture of the tour, while Tuipulotu will provide the leadership from lock. Ioane and Lienert-Brown are also among the notable selections, with Lienert-Brown bringing veteran experience to the centre.

The match will be the opening game of the All Blacks’ Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, with Rennie having now confirmed his team to face the Stormers.