All Blacks team to take on Tonga at FMG Stadium in Hamilton announced

The All Blacks team has been named to play Tonga on Saturday with Beauden Barrett switching back to number 10 and Rieko Ioane missing the squad the key talking points.

The team features several changes from the side which played the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on August 17.

In the forwards, Codie Taylor starts at hooker, with Liam Coltman providing cover from the bench; Matt Todd starts at openside, with Luke Jacobson coming onto the bench for his second Test, while Scott Barrett comes in as lock cover on the bench.

In the backs, TJ Perenara will start in the 9 jersey, with Aaron Smith on the bench; Beauden Barrett is at 10 with Josh Ioane poised to make his All Blacks debut off the bench if required; Ryan Crotty returns from injury into the 12 jersey for his first Test appearance of the year, while in the outsides, Ben Smith comes in at fullback, with Jordie Barrett providing cover in the reserves.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said there was a real sense of excitement in the team.

Hansen said the team was also looking forward to passionate home crowd support at FMG Waikato Stadium on Saturday afternoon, to give the All Blacks a good send 
off in their last home Test of the year.

All Blacks Team

All Blacks v Tonga - FMG Stadium
Saturday 7th September

1. Joe Moody (40)
2. Codie Taylor (44)
3. Nepo Laulala (19)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (24)
5. Samuel Whitelock (111)
6. Ardie Savea (38) 
7. Matt Todd (20)
8. Kieran Read - captain (121)
9. TJ Perenara (58)
10. Beauden Barrett (77)
11. George Bridge (4)
12. Ryan Crotty (44)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (37)
14. Sevu Reece (2)
15. Ben Smith (79)

Reserves
16. Liam Coltman (5) 
17. Ofa Tuungafasi (29) 
18. Angus Ta'avao (7) 
19. Scott Barrett (30) 
20. Luke Jacobson (1)
21. Aaron Smith (86) 
22. Josh Ioane *
23. Jordie Barrett (11)