The All Blacks team to play South Africa in their opening Rugby World Cup Test on Saturday September 21 at International Stadium, Yokohama has been named (Kick off: 6.45PM, 9.45PM NZT)

The matchday 23 is as follows (with Test caps in brackets)

1. Joe Moody (41)

2. Dane Coles (64)

3. Nepo Laulala (20)

4. Samuel Whitelock (112)

5. Scott Barrett (32)

6. Ardie Savea (34)

7. Sam Cane (63)

8. Kieran Read - captain (122)

9. Aaron Smith (87)

10. Richie Mo’unga (12)

11. George Bridge (5)

12. Ryan Crotty (45)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (38)

14. Sevu Reece (3)

15. Beauden Barrett (78)

16. Codie Taylor (45)

17. Ofa Tuungafasi (30)

18. Angus Ta’avao (8)

19. Patrick Tuipulotu (25)

20. Shannon Frizell (5)

21. TJ Perenara (59)

22. Sonny Bill Williams (53)

23. Ben Smith (80)

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Where were you watching when Tony Woodcock crashed over in the 2011 final? pic.twitter.com/yJoFuEesef — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 18, 2019

The key feature of the team is strength and experience across the matchday 23.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “Any combination of players in our squad could have justified their selection. But in the end we believe the 23 we have selected is the right group for this opposition.”

“In today’s rugby environment, you need to have the mindset that it’s not just about who starts, it’s also about what the players coming off the bench can provide. As an example, we have a great one-two punch with Dane and Codie at hooker and Aaron and TJ at halfback.”

In the forwards, the starting front row is made up of props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala and Coles, with impact coming off the bench from props Ofa Tuungafasi and Angus Ta’avao and Taylor. The starting second row is 112-Test veteran Samuel Whitelock and Scott Barrett, with Patrick Tuipulotu providing support from the bench. The experienced starting loose forward trio is Ardie Savea at 6, Sam Cane in the openside flanker No 7 jersey and Captain Kieran Read at number eight, in what will be his 115th Test start. Loose forward Shannon Frizell caps off a memorable All Blacks call up by being named on the bench.

In the backline, Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara are the halfbacks, Richie Mo’unga is at 10, with Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert- Brown the starting midfield combination, with Sonny Bill Williams to provide added power from the bench. The back three are the exciting George Bridge and Sevu Reece on the wings and Beauden Barrett at fullback. Added experience comes from the bench in the form of 80-Test professional Ben Smith.

Hansen said the All Blacks have had a fantastic build-up in Japan since arriving ten days ago and there was a keen sense of excitement and anticipation ahead of the Rugby World Cup-opening Test.

“Since transferring from our camp in Kashiwa to Tokyo we have moved into Test match mode this week and our focus has been building throughout the week. We’ve had a very good week’s training in the heat and rain here in Tokyo, the facilities have been excellent and our Japanese hosts have been outstanding.”

Hansen added: “The challenge of playing one of our oldest and most respected foes in the opening Test of RWC2019 has us excited and energised by what lies ahead. Each time we play South Africa, it’s a tight battle and a real arm wrestle.

“To perform at our very best, we’ll have to play with real clarity, intent, energy and clear heads. Both teams will have their moments and it’ll be our job to ensure we limit theirs and take full opportunity of ours.”

Hansen said it was the perfect Test match to open the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup campaign.

“This is where we want to be and we’re all looking forward to the challenge.”

Hansen added that the team had loved the support from New Zealand fans back home and around the world, and especially those who had travelled to Japan.

“We have also been humbled by the support from the Japanese fans here and want to thank them for that. We look forward to their support on the weekend.”

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➡️ https://t.co/XJVRYFaWkA pic.twitter.com/l6haJtHesz — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 18, 2019

Stats and facts

This will be the 99th Test match between the All Black and South Africa, with 58 wins to New Zealand, 36 to South Africa and four draws. The last Test was a 16-all draw in Wellington in July this year.

The All Blacks matchday 23 has a total of 1,061 Tests experience between them, including two centurions in Kieran Read and Samuel Whitelock and seven other players with more than 50 Test caps experience.

The All Blacks and Springboks have met four times at Rugby World Cup, but this is the first time In Pool Play. All other meetings have been in the Finals section of the Tournament. The two sides have previously played at the 1995, 1999 2003 and 2015 RWCs

Twelve players will be making their Rugby World Cup debut, while at the other end of the scale, lock Samuel Whitelock and midfielder Sonny Bill Williams will be playing their 15th RWC match and Captain Kieran Read his 12th.

Hooker Dane Coles will be playing his 65th Test, halfback TJ Perenara his 60th, while loose forward Ardie Savea will be pulling on the jersey in his 35th.

Beauden Barrett has scored 99 points against South Africa (4 tries, 23 conversions and 11 penalties) v South Africa. His 23 conversions against South Africa are the second highest behind Dan Carter’s 33.

The All Blacks have played in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural Tournament in 1987 which they won. The became the first team to win back to back titles in 2011and 2015.

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