All Blacks caned before World Cup kick-off
New Zealand captain Sam Cane was a late withdrawal for Friday’s Rugby World Cup opener with France in Paris.
Cane, 31, is replaced by Tupou Vaa’i in the starting lineup with Dalton Papali’i moving from blindside flanker to the openside.
Experienced lock Brodie Retallick comes onto the bench with Vaa’i promoted from the substitutes.
No. 8 Ardie Savea leads the side instead of Cane.
New Zealand — 15 Beauden Barrett; 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Mark Telea; 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith; 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Samuel Whitelock; 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 David Havili, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP
