The Prague Post - New Zealand make Scotland changes after Barrett brothers' injuries

All Blacks captain Scott, a second row forward, received a cut to his leg three minutes into a 26-13 win over Ireland in Chicago last weekend, and required a dozen stitches.

Jordie, meanwhile, was ruled out of the rest of New Zealand's northern hemisphere tour after the centre suffered an ankle injury in the same match.

The two players who replaced them at Soldier Field will start on Saturday.Josh Lord comes in for Scott Barrett at lock and Leicester Fainga'anuku for Jordie Barrett in the All Blacks' midfield.

Another change to the starting 15 sees Wallace Sititi return at blindside flanker following a breakthrough 2024 campaign.

Beauden Barrett, the other Barrett brother in the squad, is at fly-half, with flanker Ardie Savea taking over the captaincy.

New Zealand have never lost to Scotland, winning 30 of 32 Tests with two draws, in a fixture dating back to 1905.

But Scotland pushed the All Blacks close in their two most recent encounters before losing 22-17 in 2017 and 31-23 when the teams last met three years ago.

"We are honoured to be part of the 100th anniversary of rugby at Murrayfield, it will be a special occasion," said Robertson.

"We have a proud history with Scotland, and recent games between us have been close.

"We have named the best team to reflect the challenge we know Scotland will present."

- Van der Merwe blow -

Scotland, who thrashed the United States 85-0 last weekend, will be without joint record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe, former captain Jamie Ritchie and front-row Zander Fagerson.

While prop Fagerson was known to be struggling to face the All Blacks after being sidelined by injury since early April, there was no indication Van der Merwe and Ritchie were in danger off missing out this weekend.

Glasgow wing Kyle Steyn now starts instead of Van der Merwe, with Edinburgh's D'Arcy Rae in at tighthead prop. Glasgow forward Gregor Brown will line up at blindside flanker in place of Perpignan back-row Ritchie.

Northampton's Rory Hutchinson will make a rare start at centre, with the experienced Huw Jones sidelined until the new year.

Teams (15-1)

New Zealand

Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Quinn Tupaea, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea (capt), Wallace Sititi; Fabian Holland, Josh Lord; Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho,  Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima,  Billy Proctor, Damian McKenzie

Coach: Scott Robertson (NZL)

Scotland

Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Rory Hutchinson, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Kyle Steyn; Finn Russell, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Gregor Brown; Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings; D'Arcy Rae, Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: George Turner, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar Mills, Marshall Sykes, Rory Darge, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

A.Stransky--TPP