New Zealand have named their team for Bledisloe Cup opener, with Damian McKenzie moving to flyhalf after injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga.
Head coach Dave Rennie was forced into the change after the All Blacks announced that Mo’unga had joined Ruben Love on the injury list and would be unavailable for the Bledisloe double-header.
“First five-eighth Richie Mo’unga sustained a calf injury during Tuesday’s training and scans have revealed a tear,” the ABs said in a statement. “His return to play is yet to be determined and will be dependent on his functional progression over the coming weeks.”
Instead, Damian McKenzie has switched to flyhalf after starting all seven Tests under Rennie at full-back, with Beauden Barrett coming in at 15.
McKenzie will partner Cam Roigard at half-back while Barrett joins Will Jordan and Leroy Carter in the back three.
There are no surprises in the midfield, where Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea, who has recovered from an MCL injury suffered in the third Springboks Test, once again combine.
Up front, the big news is the return of former captain Scott Barrett, who is alongside Josh Lord in the second row for his first All Blacks appearance of the year, which means Tupou Vaa’i once again lines up at blindside flanker for New Zealand.
Peter Lakai gets the nod at openside with Wallace Sititi at number eight.
The starting team is completed by props Fletcher Newell and Ethan de Groot, who are either side of captain and hooker Codie Taylor.
On the bench, Rennie has selected some hefty units highlighted by the return of Shannon Frizell, who has spent the past three seasons in Japan.
Frizell joins Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi and Anton Segner as the forward replacements, while Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane and Moorby cover the backs.
“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this group. There’s a lot of history and pride tied up in it, and every Test against the Wallabies carries real weight for us,” the All Blacks boss said.
“We have huge respect for this Australian side and the way they have been playing. We know we’ll need to be at our best.
“We’ve been on the road for the last eight games, so the boys are rapt to be home and really looking forward to running out at Eden Park one last time this year.”
All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Josh Moorby
