All Blacks team named to play the Lions

Kick off 7.00PM local time (5.00AM Wednesday 26 August NZT), LIVE on Sky Sport. Highlights available on allblacks.com and the All Blacks and Black Ferns app.

All Blacks match-day 23

Test caps and non-Test games in brackets. * indicates new All Black:

1.  Siale Lauaki (0, 2)
2.  Samisoni Taukei'aho (44, 2)
3.  Pasilio Tosi (17, 2)
4.  Sam Darry (10, 2)
5.  Patrick Tuipulotu (57, 4) - Captain
6.  Wallace Sititi (21, 2)
7.  Ethan Blackadder (14, 2)
8.  Semisi Ta'eiloa (0, 1)
9.  Noah Hotham (3, 0)
10. Richie Mo'unga (56, 1)
11. Emoni Narawa (4, 2)
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (2, 2)
13. Rieko Ioane (88, 2)
14. Fehi Fineanganofo (1, 2)
15. Beauden Barrett (144, 3)

Reserves:

16. Bradley Slater (0, 1)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (68, 2)
18. Saula Ma'u *
19. Jamie Hannah (1, 0)
20. Peter Lakai (11, 2)
21. Kyle Preston (2, 3)
22. Josh Jacomb (0, 2)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (91, 3)

Saula Ma'u set to make his All Blacks debut

Prop Saula Ma’u will play his first game for the All Blacks.  It’s a quick return to the All Blacks for injury cover players, 68-Test prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah, who flew in to join the squad yesterday, with the duo named on the bench.  Meanwhile, returning All Black Richie Mo’unga dons the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while halfback Noah Hotham also returns for his first appearance for the All Blacks in 2026.

Kyle Preston starts off the bench to become the only player to have played every game so far on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.  Peter Lakai and Anton Lienert-Brown, who played in the All Blacks first Test at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday, will also back up against the Lions.