'Exciting' wing Carter handed All Blacks debut against Springboks / Photo: DJ Mills - AFP
'Exciting' wing Carter handed All Blacks debut against Springboks
Explosive wing Leroy Carter will make his Test debut after New Zealand on Thursday announced five starting changes for their second Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.
Head coach Scott Robertson turned to a player he had previously called the fastest in New Zealand rugby for Saturday's rematch in Wellington, after winning last week's clash 24-17 in Auckland.
Fullback Damian McKenzie and scrum-half Noah Hotham are recalled in the backs while front-row forwards Tyrel Lomax and Samisoni Taukei'aho also return for the All Blacks.
South Africa named their team on Monday, making seven starting changes including five among the backs.
Robertson said he was "excited" by the inclusion of Carter, 26, who played more than 100 matches for the New Zealand sevens team, making his final appearance at last year's Paris Olympics.
Carter starred in his maiden Super Rugby campaign for the Waikato Chiefs, scoring nine tries in 15 matches.
"We are excited to inject Leroy into the backline this week and watch what he creates with his speed and skill set," Robertson said.
"He has trained hard and put himself into the position where he is ready to perform on Saturday night."
Carter replaces Reiko Ioane while McKenzie comes in for the injured Emoni Narawa, with Will Jordan shifting from fullback to the right wing.
Hotham returns from an ankle injury, pushing scrum-half Finlay Christie to the bench.
Hooker Codie Taylor had already been ruled out after a concussion and was replaced by Taukei'aho as expected.
Replacement hooker Brodie McAlister could win his second cap having scored the match-clinching try off the bench on debut against France in Hamilton in July.
Lomax replaces Fletcher Newell, with Robertson looking to the experienced tighthead prop to bring solidity after the Springboks dominated the scrum in Auckland.
The versatile Ruben Love comes onto the bench as backline cover.
New Zealand (15-1):
Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter; Beauden Barrett, Noah Hotham; Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker; Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (capt); Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea, Ruben Love.
L.MacDonald--EWJ
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