Rennie drops Lomax for All Blacks Eden Park clash and delivers blunt verdict on tighthead

Dave Rennie has issued a direct public message to Tyrel Lomax after dropping the tighthead prop from New Zealand’s 23-man squad for Saturday’s Test against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland. Fletcher Newell will start at No.3, with Pasilio Tosi named among the replacements.

Lomax has been regarded as New Zealand’s first-choice tighthead for much of the past five years, but a run of injuries has disrupted his form and he has struggled to impose himself during the current international season. Rennie was candid when asked to explain the decision.

“We just want more out of him. He’s got a clear message around what we need to see, and he’s worked really hard this week. I’m sure that we’ll get a response the next time he gets an opportunity,” the All Blacks head coach told reporters.

Rennie described this week’s selection as “probably the hardest side we’ve had to pick”, with three separate selection meetings needed to finalise the squad. Among the other difficult calls was the omission of reigning World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Fabian Holland at lock, with Josh Lord and the returning Scott Barrett preferred.

“That was one of the tough decisions,” Rennie said. “Obviously, we’re really happy with how Josh Lord has gone. He had limited involvement in South Africa after getting knocked out; he had a 12-day stand-down, which took him out of Tests two and three, then he came back in via the bench. We’re lucky there — we’ve got some really good options, and he is unlucky to miss out.”

With both Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson unavailable, the loose forward trio has been rebuilt around Tupou Vaa’i, Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi. Lakai, 23, has worn the No.7 jersey before but this will mark his first start at openside flanker for the All Blacks.

“He’s been excellent for us,” Rennie said. “He’s a genuine post-tackle presence, a great athlete. He’s not a massive man, but he’s really good at getting his body in front, whether it be in the clean-out or the tackle. And he’s got a big engine, so we’re really confident with that.” Anton Segner provides cover from the bench.

Newell will face Australia tighthead Angus Bell at scrum time, with the set-piece battle likely to be a key battleground in what shapes as a fiercely contested Bledisloe Cup fixture.