Leroy Carter To Debut As All Blacks Make Six Changes For Springboks Clash
Leroy Carter To Debut As All Blacks Make Six Changes For Springboks Clash
Leroy Carter makes his All Blacks debut as Scott Robertson names six changes for the Rugby Championship rematch with South Africa in Wellington.
Leroy Carter will make his All Blacks Test debut on Saturday as head coach Scott Robertson unveiled six changes to his side for the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa at Sky Stadium.
The 24-year-old Carter, a former sevens standout, replaces veteran Rieko Ioane on the left wing and becomes the ninth debutant to pull on the black jersey in 2025. His selection headlines a reshaped backline that also features Will Jordan shifting to the right wing in place of the injured Emoni Narawa, while Damian McKenzie starts at fullback.
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Carter edged out Leicester Fainga’anuku and Caleb Clarke for the starting role and joins a back three built around pace and aerial strength. The midfield remains untouched, with Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor continuing their partnership, but there is movement in the halves. Scrum-half Noah Hotham returns from injury to reclaim his starting spot, pushing Finlay Christie to the bench, while Beauden Barrett retains the No. 10 jersey.
In the pack, Robertson was forced into at least one change with hooker Codie Taylor ruled out due to concussion protocols. Samisoni Taukei’aho starts at No. 2, backed up by Brodie McAlister on the bench. Tyrel Lomax swaps with Fletcher Newell to reclaim the starting tighthead role, joining Taukei’aho and Ethan de Groot in the front row. The remainder of the forward unit stays consistent, with captain Scott Barrett partnered by Tupou Vaa’i at lock, and Simon Parker, Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi forming the back row.
Among the replacements, McAlister, Tamaiti Williams and Newell provide front-row depth, Fabian Holland and Du’Plessis Kirifi cover the rest of the pack, and Christie is joined by backs Quinn Tupaea and Ruben Love.
Robertson said his squad had embraced the chance to face the Springboks in back-to-back Tests following New Zealand’s 24-17 win at Eden Park last weekend.
“It is an awesome opportunity to face South Africa in front of a sell-out home crowd for a second week in a row,” Robertson said. “Every Test match has its own storyline, and this one will be another passionate battle.
“We are excited to inject Leroy into the backline this week and watch what he creates with his speed and skillset. He has trained hard and put himself into the position where he is ready to perform on Saturday night. It is a special occasion for him and his family.”
The match will also mark a family milestone, with all three Barrett brothers — Beauden, Jordie and Scott — starting together once again. Between them, the trio will have amassed 300 combined Test appearances when they take the field. They have scored 78 tries in total, narrowly surpassing the combined tally of brothers Ardie and Julian Savea, who sit on 76.
Unavailable for selection this week are Narawa (rib fracture), Taylor (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (facial fracture), Cortez Ratima (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius) and Cam Roigard (foot stress fracture).
All Blacks team to play South Africa
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love.
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