Tom Taylor will make his test debut at first-five ahead of Colin Slade when the All Blacks bid to seal the Bledisloe Cup for an 11th straight season against the Wallabies on Saturday.

The versatile Taylor, who is the son of 1987 World Cup winning second-five Warwick Taylor, slots into the pivotal role after Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett were all ruled out of the match with injury.

Coach Steve Hansen said Taylor’s mature beyond his years, while it was his accurate goal kicking at around 90 percent - the best in New Zealand, swung the selection call his way.

Taylor said he’s played most of his rugby at No10 and because he’s been to a number of All Blacks camps, he knows the game plan.

The All Blacks will host the Wallabies at 7:35pm Saturday.


Story by: Akuila Cama
Source:Radio NZ