All Blacks change forward pack for SA test

The All Blacks have made significant changes to their forward pack for the third rugby test against South Africa this Saturday, dropping veteran hooker Codie Taylor and promoting Asafo Aumua to the starting lineup. The team, announced on Thursday, also sees lock Sam Darry and flanker Peter Lakai brought into the starting XV, with loose forward Wallace Sititi named for his first appearance of the series. These adjustments come after the All Blacks' 33-26 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town last Saturday, which leveled the four-match series at one win apiece. Head coach Dave Rennie stated the importance of the upcoming match, saying, "The team that doesn't win this weekend can't win the series. That's the kind of challenge we love to rise to." Taylor, who has earned 111 caps for New Zealand, was replaced by Aumua, who had come off the bench in the second test and proved more effective, particularly with lineout throws. Samisoni Taukeiaho will serve as the reserve hooker. Darry steps into the second row, displacing Fabian Holland, who moves to the reserves. Lakai takes the blindside flanker position, with Simon Parker demoted from the matchday 23.