TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Lock Sam Whitelock will equal Richie McCaw's New Zealand caps record in a much-changed side facing Namibia in the Rugby World Cup on Friday.
The All Blacks have changed 10, one positional, of the starting side that lost to France 27-13 last Friday in Paris.
Whitelock's 148th test will tie McCaw, who retired in 2015 after his second straight World Cup win. Whitelock is going for an unprecedented third win.
Only retired great Alun Wyn Jones has more caps, 171 for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
Whitelock, prop Nepo Laulala and back-rowers Ardie Savea — the captain again in Sam Cane's injury absence — and Dalton Papali'i have retained their starting spots in the pack.
Beauden Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown, moved from inside center to outside, are the only backs to repeat.
Damian McKenzie has the No. 10 jersey. In his 43rd test, he will make his World Cup debut with two others, scrumhalf Cam Roigard and wing Caleb Clarke.
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New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Leicester Fainaga’auku, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (captain), Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane.
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AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
