Codie Taylor to captain All Blacks against Bulls as key players remain absent
Codie Taylor will captain the All Blacks in their match against the Bulls in Pretoria, marking his return from a calf injury. This will be Taylor’s first time leading the All Blacks, a significant moment for the experienced player who has previously captained the Crusaders.
Head coach Dave Rennie confirmed Taylor’s captaincy, acknowledging his leadership on the tour. However, outside back Will Jordan and halfback Cam Roigard will not feature in the upcoming game. Jordan was expected to play in Durban but experienced a back issue, while Roigard was a late withdrawal from the Sharks match due to a tight calf.
The match against the Bulls serves as the final warm-up before the first Test against the Springboks. Rennie highlighted the importance of this game, stating it is an opportunity for players to compete for Test spots. He also noted the challenge posed by the Bulls, who have consistently performed well in the United Rugby Championship.
Team selections and player returns
Josh Jacomb will make his first start at first-five, having previously debuted off the bench against the Stormers. Beauden Barrett, who wore the No.10 jersey in that match, is set to start at fullback. The centre pairing will be Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienert-Brown, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby on the wings.
In the second row, Fabian Holland and Patrick Tuipulotu are named, while Simon Parker, Anton Segner, and Wallace Sititi will play as loose forwards. Six players from the team that defeated the Sharks will also play against the Bulls, including Sititi, lock Josh Lord, halfbacks Kyle Preston and Cortez Ratima, midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and outside back Emoni Narawa.
Props Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax will play their first match of the tour on Sunday. A total of 14 players named in the 23 to face the Bulls also participated in the opening match against the Stormers.
Historical context at Loftus Versfeld
The All Blacks have a notable history at Loftus Versfeld, the venue for the upcoming match. They have played at the stadium 16 times since 1928, including six Tests against the Springboks and four games against Northern Transvaal, the forerunner to the Bulls. Their record at Loftus Versfeld stands at 12 wins and three losses, including five Test victories over the Springboks.
The last time the All Blacks lost at Loftus Versfeld was in 1976. The stadium, located 1350 metres above sea level, is known for its passionate fanbase and the effect of its altitude on kicking distances. The All Blacks will be hoping for a less stressful conclusion to their game against the Bulls.
The All Blacks have faced various opponents at Loftus Versfeld over the years, such as the Junior Springboks, South African Universities, Northern Universities, South African Combined Services, Pretoria, and Pretoria Clubs. They also played Scotland there during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
The team is staying in Johannesburg until game day, with the journey to Loftus Versfeld taking approximately an hour. The Bulls are anticipated to be a strong opponent, with a quality similar to the Stormers, given their comparable regular season records in the URC.
Assistant coach Tana Umaga emphasised maintaining an up-tempo game plan and players striving for Test spots. He noted the public’s appreciation for their running rugby style. The first Test is scheduled for a week on Sunday at Ellis Park.
The All Blacks squad for the Bulls match includes:
- 1. Xavier Numia
- 2. Codie Taylor (c)
- 3. Tyrel Lomax
- 4. Fabian Holland
- 5. Patrick Tuipulotu
- 6. Simon Parker
- 7. Anton Segner
- 8. Peter Lakai
- 9. Cortez Ratima
- 10. Josh Jacomb
- 11. Josh Moorby
- 12. Anton Lienert-Brown
- 13. Rieko Ioane
- 14. Leroy Carter
- 15. Beauden Barrett
Reserves for the match are Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Siale Lauaki, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Timoci Tavatavanawai, and Emoni Narawa.
Source: allblacks.com
