Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

All Blacks Gear Up for Bulls Challenge

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Codie Taylor of New Zealand tackled by Siya Kolisi and Handre Pollard of South Africa during the 2024 Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa on 07 September 2024 @Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

The All Blacks have named a strong side for Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READ: Bulls Name Formidable Side for All Blacks Showdown at Loftus

Taylor returns from injury to captain the All Blacks for the first time in his 110th All Blacks match and first match of the tour. Props Xavier Numia and Tyrel Lomax will also play their first match of the tour.

Six players from the All Blacks team who beat the Sharks 54-0 on Tuesday back up for the Bulls match: lock Josh Lord, loose forward Wallace Sititi, halfbacks Kyle Preston and Cortez Ratima (who are both playing their third game of the tour), midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai, and outside back Emoni Narawa.

A total of 14 players named in the 23 to take on the Vodacom Bulls played in the opening match against the DHL Stormers.

“The Bulls have consistently been South Africa’s best franchise side, making the United Rugby Championship finals in four of the last five years,” said Rennie.

“Loftus Versfeld is one of the most formidable rugby grounds in the world, so we are aware of the challenge in front of us and excited at what lies ahead.

“This is also our final hit out before the first Test match against the Springboks, so it is an important game for us. There is healthy competition for Test spots so this is another opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.

“Huge congratulations to Codie on his first All Blacks captaincy. He is a top man and has done a great job leading this tour group. This is a proud moment for an All Blacks centurion who has made a massive contribution to this team as a player and a leader.”

All Blacks team:
1 Xavier Numia
2 Codie Taylor (captain)
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 Fabian Holland
5 Patrick Tuipulotu
6 Simon Parker
7 Anton Segner
8 Peter Lakai
9 Cortez Ratima
10 Josh Jacomb
11 Josh Moorby
12 Anton Lienert-Brown
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Leroy Carter
15 Beauden Barrett

Replacements:
16 Samisoni Taukei’aho
17 George Bower
18 Siale Lauaki
19 Josh Lord
20 Wallace Sititi
21 Kyle Preston
22 Timoci Tavatavanawai
23 Emoni Narawa