Richie Mo'unga to make All Blacks return after three-year absence

The All Blacks ‌claimed a deserved 33-16 victory over ‌South Africa in the first of four tests ‌in the series, but return to action against ‌the provincial Lions side ahead of the second clash with the Springboks in Cape Town on ‌Saturday.

Mo’unga was a replacement ⁠for centre Billy ‌Proctor on the tour after returning from a club ​stint in Japan having not played for the All Blacks since they ​lost to the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

Rieko Ioane ⁠starts at centre ​alongside Timoci Tavatavanawai, and wings Emoni Narawa and Fehi Fineanganofo make up the back three with Barrett.

Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston and Anton ‌Lienert-Brown are all on the bench having come on as replacements in the test win over South Africa at the weekend.

"With the naming of this matchday 23, everyone currently in the squad will have played on tour, which is great for creating depth and competition for places in the test ‌team," coach Dave Rennie said.

All Blacks team:

Starters: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Fehi ​Fineanganofo, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11-Emoni ‌Narawa, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Noah Hotham, 8-Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7-Ethan Blackadder, 6-Wallace Sititi, 5-Patrick Tuipulotu, 4-Sam Darry, 3-Pasilio Tosi, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1-Siale Lauaki

Replacements: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18-Saula Mau, ⁠19-Jamie Hannah, 20-Peter ⁠Lakai, 21-Kyle Preston, ‌22-Josh Jacomb, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown

Lions team:

Starters: 15-Quan Horn, 14-Kelly Mpeku, ‌13-Henco van Wyk, 12-Richard Kriel, 11-Erich ​Cronje, 10-Chris Smith, 9-Nico Steyn, 8-Francke Horn (captain), ‌7-Batho Hlekani, 6-Siba Mahashe, 5-Ruan Delport, 4-Etienne Oosthuizen, 3-Sebastian Lombard, 2-PJ Botha, 1-SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16-Morne Brandon, 17-Boan Venter, 18-RF Schoeman, 19-Hyron Andrews, 20-Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21-JC ⁠Pretorius, 22-Haashim Pead, ⁠23-Boeta Chamberlain