All Blacks name eight debutants for Japan Test

Dalton Papalii and Matt Proctor are two of eight All Blacks set to earn their Test debuts against Japan on Saturday.

Papalii, 21, and Proctor, 26, have been named in the starting side for the clash in Tokyo.

But New Zealand are set to play eight debutants in total, with the uncapped group of Tyrel Lomax, Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Mitch Drummond, Brett Cameron and George Bridge named on the bench.

Luke Whitelock will captain the All Blacks in a Test for the first time.

“Firstly, on behalf of the entire All Blacks squad, we want to congratulate those players who’ll be making their Test debuts,” head coach Steve Hansen said.

 “We want to show the world what we’ve got” – Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Vaea Fifita talk about what it means to start for the All Blacks against Japan this weekend.

TEAM  https://t.co/SJ6B0qNmlp pic.twitter.com/Z06N92rH8N

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 1, 2018

“It’s an exciting and special time for those players and their families, as well as their team-mates who join them in recognising their achievement.

“We also congratulate Luke on becoming the latest All Blacks Test captain. He’s a natural leader, did a fantastic job leading the team against the French XV last year, and will be ably assisted by the senior players in the team.

“The team’s really excited at what lies ahead. While this is a relatively inexperienced group, the expectation is that when you pull on the black jersey, then a top performance is required. It’s important that the players embrace the expectation and enjoy it.

“They’ve prepared well this week and will bring an unbridled enthusiasm that comes with that excitement. We know they’ll go out on Saturday and proudly represent the jersey, themselves, their families and their country.”

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Richie Mo’unga, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi; Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Dane Coles, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jackson Hemopo, Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Luke Whitelock.
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Tim Perry, Tyrel Lomax, Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Mitch Drummond, Brett Cameron, George Bridge.

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