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Rugby World Cup final: Brodie Retallick replaces Sam Whitelock for All Blacks against South Africa

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Published in Rugby
Thursday, 26 October 2023 13:08

Lock Brodie Retallick replaces Sam Whitelock as New Zealand make one change to their starting side for the World Cup final against South Africa.

Whitelock will become the first man to play in three World Cup finals if he comes off the bench.

Brothers Scott, Jordie and Beauden Barrett retain their places in the starting XV from the side that cruised past Argentina in the semi-finals.

The All Blacks, like the Springboks, are chasing a record fourth title.

Will Jordan continues on the wing and can set a new record for the most tries at a single tournament if he adds to his tally of eight.

He has scored in his past four World Cup games and can also draw level with All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu as the only player to score in five matches in a row.

The only other change comes on the bench as Nepo Laulala replaces Fletcher Newell among the replacements.

Retallick, Whitelock, Sam Cane, Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith, who has announced he will retire from international rugby after the game, are the five survivors in the matchday squad from New Zealand's last triumph in the 2015 final.

Cane is set to win his 95th cap and is the only one of the quintet not yet a centurion.

New Zealand will be looking to avenge their 35-7 record defeat by the Springboks at Twickenham before they travelled to France for the tournament.

"We've woken up this week to find ourselves in a World Cup final and we've worked to deal with all the distractions," said head coach Ian Foster. "Two great teams, different styles. South Africa are great at their style, we want to be great at ours."

Defending champions South Africa have made two changes to the XV that started their semi-final win over England, with half-backs Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard replacing Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi is free to play after being cleared by World Rugby, who said there was "insufficient evidence" he had used a racial slur towards England's Tom Curry.

With 987 caps among their XV, South Africa have named the most experienced Springbok team ever, while New Zealand's side boasts 981 caps.

Line-ups

New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Williams, Laulala, Whitelock, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.

South Africa XV: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Smith, Wiese, Le Roux.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

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