Richie Mo’unga named to start as All Blacks confirm team for Lions clash

Richie Mo’unga will make his first start of the tour when the All Blacks face the Lions on Tuesday, after being called up as an injury replacement.

Mo’unga has been selected at fly-half for the match, with fellow injury replacement Noah Hotham starting at scrum-half. Veteran Beauden Barrett will wear the number 15 shirt at full-back.

The All Blacks have opted for a blend of experience and newer faces in a side named for their latest meeting with the Lions. Mo’unga’s inclusion is the main change of interest, with the former international returning to a starting role after flying out to join the squad as cover for an injured player.

Hotham will form the half-back partnership with Mo’unga, while Barrett provides experience behind them. The back three also includes Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa, with Rieko Ioane and Timoci Tavatavanawai selected in midfield.

The starting front row is made up of Siale Lauaki at loosehead prop, Samisoni Taukei’aho at hooker and Pasilio Tosi at tighthead prop.

Patrick Tuipulotu captains the side from the second row, alongside Sam Darry. In the back row, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa starts at number eight, with Ethan Blackadder at openside flanker and Wallace Sititi at blindside flanker.

Tuesday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 19:00.

The All Blacks starting XV is:

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Emoni Narawa, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Sam Darry, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Siale Lauaki.

The replacements are Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Saula Mau, Jamie Hannah, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Bradley Slater is listed as the replacement hooker, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Saula Mau providing front-row cover. Jamie Hannah is the replacement lock, while Peter Lakai is the reserve back-row option.

Kyle Preston is included among the replacement backs, alongside Josh Jacomb and Anton Lienert-Brown.