Joe Moody
All Black coach Steve Hansen wasted no time in drafting in recently arriving prop Joe Moody into the side to play France in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Cardiff on Saturday.
Moody, a specialist loosehead prop, has had a whirlwind few days. He has been named on the bench for the encounter at the Millennium Stadium just 4 days after arriving in the United Kingdom as a replacement for the injured Tony Woodcock.
Moody will play his 9th Test off the bench, after playing 8 Tests in the black jersey in 2014.
With Moody on the bench, Wyatt Crockett takes over the starting loosehead duties from the injured Tony Woodcock.
Meanwhile, All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw returns to the starting 15 along with lock Brodie Retallick and wing Julian Savea.
“We’re exactly where we want to be – playing a quarterfinal at Millennium Stadium,” Hansen said.
“It’s finals footy and we’re hugely excited by that.
“We’re a team that enjoys a challenge, we’ve had a great week’s preparation and it’s now about putting it out on the park.
“This team has always been about making its own history.
“We’ve known for a long time that this match-up may be a possibility and we’re really looking forward to it,” he said of the much-talked about face-off with France – who knocked the All Blacks out of the Rugby World Cup in the 2007 quarterfinal at the same venue.
“There are not many better places to play than a packed Millennium Stadium.
“New Zealand versus France Tests are always intense affairs and we expect this weekend to be no different.
“The French will be very physical and both teams have plenty to play for.
“We’re at the time in the tournament where the big boys have to step up to the plate and the team that does this the best will move through to the next Round.
“It’s as simple as that. We can’t wait.”
The All Blacks matchday 23 for the Test against France has an average age of 28 and has 1 295 Test caps of experience.
All Blacks: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Date: Saturday 17 October
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-Off: 21:00 SA Time (20:00 UK Time, 19:00 GMT, 21:00.00 France Time, Sunday 08:00 NZ Time)
Referee: Nigel Owens
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper, John Lacey
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
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