All Blacks drop veteran hooker Codie Taylor for third Springboks Test
New Zealand has dropped veteran hooker Codie Taylor from the squad for the third Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. Taylor, 35, will be replaced in the starting lineup by Asafo Aumua, who was deemed more effective after replacing Taylor in the second Test loss. Samisoni Taukei'aho will be the reserve hooker. Head coach Dave Rennie also made two other changes to the starting XV, with lock Sam Darry replacing Fabian Holland and Peter Lakai taking over from Simon Parker at blindside flanker. Loose forward Wallace Sititi joins the bench, and reserve scrum-half Kyle Preston is set for his seventh consecutive tour match. The series is currently tied 1-1. The All Blacks won the first Test 33-16, and the Springboks won the second Test 33-26. The series will conclude with a final Test in Baltimore, United States, on September 12.
