Richie Mo’unga Returns as Beauden Barrett Takes All Blacks Captaincy

Richie Mo’unga is set to return to the All Blacks’ starting line-up for their Nations Championship clash with Wales in Cardiff, while Beauden Barrett will captain the team for the first time. The fixture is New Zealand’s final chance to rotate players before facing England the following weekend, but the side is also looking for a convincing result to boost its bid for a place in the competition’s final. Mo’unga has not played since the fourth Test against South Africa in Baltimore. A calf injury kept him out of the Bledisloe Cup tests and delayed his return to the No. 10 jersey after his time playing in Japan. He is named at first five-eighth in place of Damian McKenzie, who has been rested following a heavy workload and a run of strong performances in the position. Ruben Love remains unavailable after season-ending ankle surgery. Barrett will lead the side in his 149th Test, taking over while Codie Taylor is rested. The veteran fullback is one of seven starters retained from the All Blacks’ 43-21 win over Scotland. The article says his appointment reflects his growing importance to the team after he established himself in the starting XV following Love’s injury. Other players to have captained New Zealand this year, including Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Patrick Tuipulotu, are not with the squad. The team has made 10 changes to its match-day 23, with eight changes to the starting side. Anton Segner is named to make his first Test start at blindside flanker, while Cortez Ratima replaces Cam Roigard at halfback. Anton Lienert-Brown starts at second five-eighth, with Jordie Barrett rested after taking a head knock against Scotland. Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo gets his first Test start and just his second appearance for the All Blacks, replacing Will Jordan, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The article also notes that Josh Jacomb misses out on the match-day squad, while Kyle Preston remains on the bench without a Test start.