All Blacks team to face Springboks: Fans stunned as star player DROPPED for third test

All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play South Africa in the third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, on Saturday 5 September at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

However, the headline selection news is the omission of Reiko Ioane, who has been left out of the match-day 23 entirely for the crucial clash. With both teams heading into the third Test level at one apiece, Ioane's absence represents one of the biggest selection calls made by Rennie ahead of the series decider.

Instead, Quinn Tupaea will start at outside centre, while Anton Lienert-Brown comes onto the bench. The All Blacks will also mark a number of individual milestones, with Tupou Vaa’i set to make his 50th Test appearance.

Despite his wealth of experience, versatility and current form, the decision has come as a surprise to plenty of All Blacks fans, with many believing he should have been selected ahead of Lienert-Brown.

One user commented on Instagram: "No Rieko is diabolical", while another added: "Cannot believe ALB is still on the bench."

Ioane is not the only notable omission, with Ethan Blackadder also missing out despite being named Player of the Match against the Lions.

The most-liked comment on the team announcement currently reads: "Blackadder missing out is a bit of a head scratcher", while another fan referenced both Blackadder and Ioane, writing: "If Blackadder and Ioane aint sick then I definitely am."

There has been plenty of debate over Rennie's selections, but the All Blacks now have the chance to move ahead in the series.

The four-Test series is finely poised at 1-1 heading into the final Test in South Africa, although the rivalry will continue with a fourth meeting in Baltimore.

Kick off is at 5:10PM local time (3:10AM Sunday 6 September NZT) LIVE on Sky Sport.

The All Blacks v Springboks Test will be preceded by an historic first ever clash on South African soil between the Black Ferns and Springboks Women at 1:30PM local time (11:30PM NZT).

1. George Bower (28)

2. Asafo Aumua (24)

3. Tyrel Lomax (53)

4. Tupou Vaa’i (49)

5. Sam Darry (10)

6. Peter Lakai (12)

7. Luke Jacobson (29)

8. Ardie Savea (111) - Captain

9. Cam Roigard (22)

10. Ruben Love (10)

11. Leroy Carter (9)

12. Jordie Barrett (83)

13. Quinn Tupaea (28)

14. Will Jordan (59)

15. Damian McKenzie (79)

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (44)

17. Xavier Numia (3)

18. Fletcher Newell (39)

19. Fabian Holland (14)

20. Wallace Sititi (21)

21. Kyle Preston (3)

22. Anton Lienert-Brown (92)

23. Josh Moorby (3)

In changes from the team that played the second Test last weekend, hooker Asafo Aumua will start with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming into the 23 as impact. Sam Darry starts at lock in his 11th Test, while Fabian Holland moves to the bench. Peter Lakai will start in the six jersey, and Wallace Sititi will make his first Test appearance in the Series, coming into the 23 as loose forward impact.

The biggest talking point, however, is the decision to leave Ioane out altogether. Tupou Vaa’i will be playing his 50th Test.

“Tupes is a top man. It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us,” Rennie said. “With both teams heading into the third Test one apiece, there’s everything to play for on Saturday.”

“The team that doesn’t win this weekend can’t win the series. That’s the kind of challenge we love to rise to. The team is feeling fresh after a full week’s lead in to the game and we can’t wait to put everything out on the park.

Rennie has also paid tribute to the All Blacks huge fanbase. “We’ve really felt the support not only from our travelling army of Kiwi fans and fans here in South Africa, but also the New Zealand public back home. It’s been massive for us and we look forward to more of the same this weekend.”

As well as Vaa’i playing his 50th Test, there will also be other numerical milestones this weekend: Damian McKenzie will be playing his 80th Test, Will Jordan his 60th, Fletcher Newell his 40th, and Luke Jacobson his 30th. This is the ninth time in 13 Test series between New Zealand and South Africa that the results have been tied at one-all going into the Third test.

The All Blacks have played twice previously at FNB Stadium, winning 29-22 in 2010 and 32 - 16 in 2012. With his 33rd Test try last week, Ardie Savea took the number of total Test tries for the Savea brothers to a world record of 79 for siblings (Julian Savea scored 46), passing the Barrett brothers mark of 78: Beauden has scored 45 tries, Jordie 26 and Scott seven.