Proctor, Papalii to make All Blacks debuts against Japan

Proctor, Papalii to make All Blacks debuts against Japan
Britain Rugby Union - Harlequins v Maori All Blacks - Harlequins 150th Anniversary Match - Twickenham Stoop - 16/11/16 Maori All Blacks' Matt Proctor in action Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew Boyers Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Copyright Andrew Boyers(Reuters)
By Reuters
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TOKYO (Reuters) - Centre Matt Proctor and flanker Dalton Papalli are set to make their All Blacks debuts on Saturday when the world champions face Japan in Tokyo.

Coach Steve Hansen has named an all-changed team to the side that beat Australia 37-20 last weekend.

Number eight Luke Whitelock becomes the 70th man to captain the All Blacks in a test match, having made his debut against the same opponents in the same city five years ago.

Despite the changes, New Zealand’s strength in depth is apparent with a back three of Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo and Jordie Barrett having 155 points between them at this level.

Team: 15-Jordie Barrett, 14-Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13-Matt Proctor, 12-Ngani Laumape, 11-Waisake Naholo, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Te Toiroa Tahuriiorangi, 8-Luke Whitelock (captain), 7- Dalton Papalii, 6-Vaea Fifita, 5- Jackson Hemopo, 4- Patrick Tuipulotu, 3-Angus Ta’avao, 2-Dane Coles, 1- Ofa Tuungafasi

Replacements: 16- Liam Coltman, 17- Tim Perry, 18- Tyrel Lomax, 19- Dillon Hunt 20- Gareth Evans, 21- Mitch Drummond, 22- Brett Cameron, 23- George Bridge

(Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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