All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has been forced to reshuffle his team 24 hours before they face the Wallabies in their final Rugby Championship clash.
The versatile forward, who can play both second-row and flanker, was named in the initial side to take on Australia in Bledisloe II this weekend, but he has now withdrawn after picking up a knee injury in training.
Vaa’i had started the five previous Tests this Rugby Championship, including last weekend’s victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park.
In his place, rookie lock Fabian Holland comes straight into the starting XV, while fellow second-rower Patrick Tuipulotu retains his spot on the bench. Holland now join returning skipper Scott Barrett in the engine room.
They are also part of a new-look starting pack, with Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell joining Codie Taylor in the front-row, while Peter Lakai, vice-captain Ardie Savea and Simon Parker form a formidable back-row, with Lakai swapping with Wallace Sititi in the starting role.
There are also plenty of changes in the backline, too, with Damian McKenzie, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Quinn Tupaea all promoted to the starting line-up. Cam Roigard, Leroy Carter and Will Jordan also feature in the starting backs division.
Rieko Ioane will make his return to the All Blacks side from the bench this weekend, joining George Bower, Pasilio Tosi and Ruben Love as the new names on the replacements list. Samisoni Taukei’aho, Cortez Ratima and the aforementioned duo of Sititi and Tuipulotu complete the 23.
All Blacks revised – 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Ruben Love
