SONNY BILL WILLIAMS will play his first Test international since the 2015 World Cup final when the All Blacks take on Samoa on Friday as an appetiser to the forthcoming series against the Lions.
SBW offloads to set up Ihaia West's brilliant winning try against the Lions. Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
The multi-sport star had moved away from the 15-a-side game in an attempt to help New Zealand Sevens take gold at Rio 2016, but returned to the long form of the game with the Auckland Blues this year.
The 31-year-old has shown little signs of rust and was hugely impressive in the Blues’ win over the Lions in Auckland last week and will get another chance to impress alongside Anton Lienert-Brown in the All Black midfield.
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In the absence of captain Kieran Read, Ardie Savea will operate at number eight with Ben Smith captaining the team from fullback. Israel Dagg and Julian Savea take up the wing berths, leaving no place for Waisake Naholo despite his impressive feats against the Crusaders and the Lions in recent weeks.
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Number 10 Beauden Barrett will win his 50th Test cap, but Hurricanes team-mate Vaea Fifita and younger brother Jordie are set to make their debuts off the replacements bench.
All Blacks (v Samoa)
15. Ben Smith (Capt.)
14. Israel Dagg
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Julian Savea
10. Beauden Barrett
9. Aaron Smith
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Ardie Savea
Replacements:
16. Nathan Harris
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Scott Barrett
20. Vaea Fifita
21. T J Perenara
22. Lima Sopoaga
23. Jordie Barrett
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SBW starts, Jordie Barrett set for debut as All Blacks warm up for Lions
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS will play his first Test international since the 2015 World Cup final when the All Blacks take on Samoa on Friday as an appetiser to the forthcoming series against the Lions.
The multi-sport star had moved away from the 15-a-side game in an attempt to help New Zealand Sevens take gold at Rio 2016, but returned to the long form of the game with the Auckland Blues this year.
The 31-year-old has shown little signs of rust and was hugely impressive in the Blues’ win over the Lions in Auckland last week and will get another chance to impress alongside Anton Lienert-Brown in the All Black midfield.
In the absence of captain Kieran Read, Ardie Savea will operate at number eight with Ben Smith captaining the team from fullback. Israel Dagg and Julian Savea take up the wing berths, leaving no place for Waisake Naholo despite his impressive feats against the Crusaders and the Lions in recent weeks.
Number 10 Beauden Barrett will win his 50th Test cap, but Hurricanes team-mate Vaea Fifita and younger brother Jordie are set to make their debuts off the replacements bench.
All Blacks (v Samoa)
15. Ben Smith (Capt.)
14. Israel Dagg
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. Julian Savea
10. Beauden Barrett
9. Aaron Smith
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Ardie Savea
Replacements:
16. Nathan Harris
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Scott Barrett
20. Vaea Fifita
21. T J Perenara
22. Lima Sopoaga
23. Jordie Barrett
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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