Ian Foster. Photo: Photosport
He's rested some frontline players but All Blacks coach Ian Foster insists a Uruguay side with nothing to lose will challenge his team, who're looking to sew up a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Halfback Aaron Smith, who scored three tries in the big win over Italy, is one of several stars being given the week off, with Foster making nine changes to the side from the one that crushed the Azzurri.
"We've selected the team that we think is best for this game. It's obviously a must win for us and that's our number one focus. Where we've made a couple of tweaks is there's some guys we felt maybe didn't need a hit-out but can still be in really great shape because of that.
All Blacks Tyrel Lomax. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"You see when you look at the team there is a lot of continuity in many aspects. Being able to bring the likes of Sam (Cane) in and Tyrel (Lomax) and Jordie (Barrett), keep their progress coming back (from injury). Sam Whitelock coming back in. A lot of those changes have got us into a really strong position for this game."
"Clearly, you are making decisions now to make sure that we are building the continuity and not taking the step back in the areas we feel we need to grow.
"But we also have to make smart decisions because, let's face it, we want to do well on Thursday and then we want three more games. We want to make sure we've got the energy in the tank to do that."
Those players not needing a hitout include stand in skipper Ardie Savea, who's started every game at the World Cup.
Regular captain Sam Cane returns to the starting side, pushing Dalton Papali'i out of the matchday 23, with injury replacement Ethan Blackadder set for his first taste of World Cup action from the bench.
Ethan Blackadder Photo: Photosport
Cane said Blackadder is champing at the bit.
""His charisma and personality rubs off and that's the way he plays footy. He's been awesome to have back in the environment. He ripped into training last week, once the trainers took the shackles loose after all his travel.
"He's physical, he rips in and he throws his body around and he's got a big engine. I can't wait to see him make his World Cup debut."
Damian McKenzie gets a rare start at fullback in place of Beauden Barrett and he's looking forward to playing in front of the loud and proud Uruguayan fans, who could outnumber All Blacks supporters in Lyon.
Prop Tyrel Lomax is back in the run on XV while Sam Whitelock, who last week overtook Richie McCaw as the most capped All Black, will make his 150th test appearance and will start alongside Tupou Vaa'i at lock.
Vaa'i's good mate Leicester Fainga'anuku will start on the wing and the pair have been enjoying some quality time together ahead of the Uruguay match.
"Yeah, I don't really like this guy next to me. I am just joking. He's definitely annoying. Always comes knocking on my door.
"We are currently watching the Walking Dead at the moment and all our talk has just been about what weapon would you use if there were zombies and that sort of stuff. Was it a hammer, Leicester?
"We've been great friends. We've come through the Under-20s together. We've stayed connected over the last few years and this guy has been playing unreal footy. You can see why he's in this team. He just likes to get busy on the field and he just backs himself."
Ian Foster and Sam Cane after loss to the Springboks in London, 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The bookies expect the All Blacks to hammer Uruguay, but coach Ian Foster is adamant the South Americans won't be easybeats.
"We are playing against a team that basically had the same scoreline against France as what we did. And that's in the last month.
"I am not trying to talk them up falsely but they lost to France by the same scoreline we did. That deserves a lot of respect and if you watch that game, these guys, I love their attitude. I think they're a really passionate rugby team and if we're not in the house, then we are going to struggle. That's a fact we've got to deal with."
And with a place in the playoffs at stake, Foster is confident there's no chance of complacency from his side.
""You need two things. One, you can't motivate a team falsely because it shows in performance. So, you've got to get real about it.
"We've got so much to achieve ourselves. That's a fact. We are not in a quarter-final yet, so we've got to make sure we do that."
A bonus point win on Friday morning would do that, though anything less would leave the All Blacks at risk, albeit a small one, of their first pool stage exit from a World Cup.
- RNZ
