Ruben Love DROPPED: Replacement confirmed

Love started all three Tests on the tour so far, with the All Blacks trailing 2-1 in the series, but experienced playmaker Richie Mo'unga has been handed the starting No.10 jersey for this weekend's clash in Baltimore.

The Hurricanes star has come under scrutiny after a couple of below-par displays against the Springboks, including a yellow card in the latest defeat that helped South Africa take a 2-1 series lead.

Mo’unga returned to the All Blacks for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup during the match against the Lions between the first and second Tests, although his comeback performance left some supporters questioning the hype surrounding his return.

The 32-year-old produced flashes of his quality, including a well-timed pass that helped create a try for Ethan Blackadder, but handling errors and a missed conversion prevented him from fully stamping his authority on the match.

Mo’unga was a late addition to the squad, joining the All Blacks in South Africa following an injury to centre Billy Proctor.

Rennie has made several changes to the side that faced the Springboks in Soweto, Johannesburg last weekend, with Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea ruled out through injury, while Fabian Holland is unavailable due to illness.

Prop Fletcher Newell, lock Patrick Tuipulotu, loose forward Ethan Blackadder, fly-half Richie Mo’unga and centre Anton Lienert-Brown will all make their first Test starts of the series.

There are further changes among the 23, with prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord returning for the first time since being forced from the field in the opening Test after progressing through the World Rugby concussion protocols.

Codie Taylor returns at hooker and will captain the side, with Asafo Aumua moving to the replacements. Tighthead props Fletcher Newell and Tyrel Lomax also swap roles this week, with Newell starting.

Tuipulotu comes into the second row alongside Sam Darry, allowing Tupou Vaa’i to move back to blindside flanker, where he joins Peter Lakai and Blackadder in the loose forward trio.

Josh Moorby takes over on the left wing, while Rieko Ioane and Beauden Barrett both come into the matchday 23 as backline cover.

1 Ethan de Groot

2 Codie Taylor - Captain

3 Fletcher Newell

4 Patrick Tuipulotu

5 Sam Darry

6 Tupou Vaa’i

7 Ethan Blackadder

8 Peter Lakai

9 Cam Roigard

10 Richie Mo’unga

11 Josh Moorby

12 Jordie Barrett

13 Anton Lienert-Brown

14 Will Jordan

15 Damian McKenzie

16 Asafo Aumua

17 Xavier Numia

18 Tyrel Lomax

19 Josh Lord

20 Wallace Sititi

21 Kyle Preston

22 Rieko Ioane

23 Beauden Barrett