Mo’unga starts at 10 as All Blacks chase SA sweep after 33-16 win

Richie Mo’unga will make his first appearance of the tour at flyhalf when New Zealand face the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday. The All Blacks arrive after beating South Africa 33-16 in the opening Test in Johannesburg on Saturday.

New Zealand have also won all three of their matches against South African clubs during the tour. They defeated the Stormers 38-21, the Sharks 54-0 and the Vodacom Bulls 50-19 over the past 16 days, giving them four victories in the country before the Lions fixture.

Head coach Dave Rennie has made two changes to the match-day 23 from the group that featured against the Springboks. Loose forward Peter Lakai and outside back Anton Lienert-Brown are included on a bench split between five forwards and three backs.

Mo’unga joins Noah Hotham in the halfback pairing, with Hotham set to play his first match of the tour. Beauden Barrett moves to fullback, while Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narawa cover the wings. Rieko Ioane and Timoci Tavatavanawai are selected in midfield.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa starts at No 8, with Wallace Sititi and Ethan Blackadder completing the loose trio. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu partners Sam Darry in the second row, while Pasilio Tosi, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Siale Lauaki form the front row. Tuipulotu will lead New Zealand for the second time on the trip.

Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Saula Mau, Jamie Hannah, Lakai, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb and Lienert-Brown make up the replacements. The Ellis Park match is New Zealand’s final South African fixture before the teams meet again at Cape Town Stadium next Saturday, with the All Blacks carrying the advantage from their opening-Test victory and strong tour form.