Kyle Harris contests the lineoutagainst South Africa last week. Photo / Getty Images
Simon Hickey and Tevita Li only players to survive purge after disappointing loss to South Africa.
New Zealand have made no fewer than 13 changes as they look to sweep aside Scotland and somehow scrape into the JWC semifinals.
That will not make the job easier for Scotland coach's Sean Lineen, who will have no footage of this combination in action, but he will have identified
the unerring goalkicking of Simon Hickey and the deadly finishing of Tevita Li, the only two players retained, as danger areas. The balance of Chris Boyd's squad all get a run. Even if New Zealand know their fate by kickoff, one would assume there will be a more fluid display, weather permitting, than we saw in the 24-33 defeat to South Africa on Friday night.
The whole New Zealand pack has been rotated, and this will be a prime chance for men such as hooker James O'Reilly, lock Josh Dickson and flankers Kyle Harris and Mitch Jacobson to further their claims for the playoff rounds. Otago halfback Josh Renton gets his first start, and after appearing on the wing against Samoa, the exciting and elusive TJ Faiane, a schoolboy star, suits up in his preferred centre position. Richie Mo'unga replaces Damian McKenzie at fullback.
Lineen has made 10 changes, reasoning that some of his youngsters cannot back up four days after a bruising encounter. He knows his charges will have their work cut out in their first JWC meeting with New Zealand. He says they have a very good scrum, so there is little surprise that they will try to target New Zealand there. Incredibly, Scotland have landed just one goal in two games, and more accuracy off the tee might have carried it to a win or draw over Samoa. Both sides scored three tries apiece.
