New Zealand seeks to reclaim first place in Pool B with a win over Namibia on Sunday 6 October at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo. Kickoff is at 13:45 local (00:45 ET). The match may be viewed in the U.S. live on NBCSN or on-demand on NBC Sports Gold and on TSN channels 1 and 4 in Canada.
New Zealand opened pool play with a 23-12 win over South Africa and followed with a 63-0 victory over Canada. They conclude pool play against Italy on Saturday 12 October.
Namibia opened with a 47-22 loss to Italy and followed with a 57-3 loss to South Africa. They will be targeting their concluding pool play match against Canada that is also on 12 October.
New Zealand
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen made 12 changes in the starters from the win over Canada. Only Shannon Frizell, Jordie Barrett, and Jack Goodhue are retained. Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett are rested after playing the entire match against Canada. Kieran Read is also being rested with Samuel Whitelock assuming captain duties for the sixth time.
Jordie Barrett will be at flyhalf for the first time in his international rugby career. The All Blacks after not included a specialist No.10 on their squad with TJ Perenera the likely replacement.
Brodie Retallick returns to international action for the first time since dislocating his shoulder in the draw against South Africa in July.
George Bridge and Sevu Reece return on the wings and Ardie Savea starts at number eight.
Namibia
Namibia Head Coach Phil Davies has made nine changes to the team which started in the 57-3 loss to South Africa on 28 September.
Only second-row Tjiuee Uanivi, left-winger JC Greyling, and full-back Johan Tromp have started all three of the Welwitschias matches at Rugby World Cup 2019.
Johan Deysel returns to the starting XV to captain Namibia against the All Blacks. He missed the match against Italy as he was recovering from a shoulder injury and was a reserve against the Springboks.
Darryl De La Harpe returns to the bench, but first-choice fly-half Cliven Loubser will miss out due to slight ankle injury. he played the entire match against the Springboks, but his ankle is swollen and is being rested.
Squads
New Zealand: 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock (capt.), 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Jordie Barrett, 11 George Bridge, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Jack Goodhue, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Ben Smith 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao ,19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 TJ Perenara, 23 Rieko Ioane
Namibia: 1. Andre Rademeyer, 2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld, 3 AJ De Klerk, 4 PJ Van Lill, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 6 Prince Gaoseb, 7 Thomasau Forbes, 8 Janco Venter, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Helarius Kisting, 11 JC Greyling, 12 Johan Deysel (capt.), 13 Justin Newman, 14 Lesley Klim, 15 Johan Tromp 16 Obert Nortje, 17 Nelius Theron, 18 Johannes Coetzee, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Adriaan Booysen, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 Darryl De La Harpe, 23 Janry du Toit
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistants: Shuhei Kobo (Japan), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Other Articles
DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.
