All Blacks name team to face Boks in World Cup final

The All Blacks have opted to go with the more traditional bench of five forwards and three backs for their Rugby World Cup final match against the Springboks at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

Earlier on Thursday, the Boks opted for a bench of seven forwards and just the one back, experienced outside player Willie le Roux.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster wasn’t swayed to alter his thinking after the Boks’ decision, which they employed for the first time in the 35-7 record win against New Zealand at Twickenham in London in August, in a World Cup warm-up match.

The replacements on the All Blacks bench are forwards Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Lualala, Sam Whitelock and Dalton Papali’i, and backs Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown.

The good news for the All Blacks is that flyhalf Richie Mo’unga has been passed fit and will wear the No 10 jersey. Beauden Barrett will again play at fullback.

Experienced lock Brodie Retallick will play in the second row, in place of veteran Sam Whitelock, who’ll add impact from the bench.

Both the All Blacks and Boks are chasing a fourth title.

The All Blacks beat Ireland and Argentina in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, while the Boks got the better of France and England.

All Blacks: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell; Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Samuel Whitelock, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown