Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
New Zealand have made two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash versus Scotland after a rampant performance in the Bledisloe Cup against Australia last month.
Ethan de Groot is restored to the front row at loosehead in place of George Bower, while Jordie Barrett returns from injury at centre in place of Timoci Tavatavanawai
Bower and Tavatavanawai are named among the replacements, where there are three other changes from the 43-21 win over Australia in Sydney on October 17 with Asafo Aumua, Christian Lio-Willie and German-born Anton Segner called in.
Scotland named a full-strength side, making wholesale changes from their last outing.
Only Gregor Brown, who moves from the back of the scrum to the second row, and prop Rory Sutherland remain from the starting XV in Scotland’s last Test against Fiji in mid-July when they won 33-17.
Coach Gregor Townsend had some tough selection calls and picked British & Irish Lion Huw Jones to make a comeback from injury alongside captain Sione Tuipulotu at centre, while Kyle Rowe got the nod for fullback ahead of Blair Kinghorn
New Zealand are unbeaten in 33 Tests against Scotland, with 31 wins and two draws
Elsewhere, Wales coach Steve Tandy was on the defensive after picking a record nine players stationed outside the country for their Nations Championship clash with Japan. All nine, plus three of the replacements, play in England.
The selection represents a huge change since the 60-cap rule was lowered to 25 caps in February 2023 for players to remain eligible to play for Wales.
“Ultimately it doesn’t matter where they play, it’ll be the best players selected,” said Wales boss Tandy.
“It shows that our players are in demand and that other leagues value them.
“What’s encouraging is that many of them are performing really well in those environments.
“Of course, I’d love every Welsh player to be based in Wales, but that’s not the reality of the current situation.
Wales also face New Zealand and Australia in this round of fixtures.
Japan coach Eddie Jones has handed a debut to Riku Kitahara against Wales as part of a halfback pairing with co-captain Naoto Saito.
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada made 10 changes, mostly enforced by injuries, when he named his side to face South Africa in Saturday’s Nations Championship fixture in Turin. Flanker Samuele Locatelli will make his debut.
