Giant All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will make his comeback from a horror shoulder injury in the Rugby World Cup pool match against Namibia on Sunday.
The veteran second-rower has been named in a makeshift New Zealand line-up to face the lowest-ranked team at the Japan tournament.
Retallick has been on ice, since he suffered the injury against South Africa on July 27, after some initial fears he may miss the World Cup altogether.
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"It's great to have Brodie back," says coach Steve Hansen. "There's been some great work done by not only Brodie himself, but also by the medical team.
"Obviously, Brodie is very excited to be in a position to pull the jersey back on."
The other major feature of the line-up sees both specialist first-fives Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett rested, with utility Jordie Barrett handed the No.10 jersey.
Three halfbacks have also been included - Aaron Smith will start at No.9, with TJ Perenara also likely to see time at the pivot.
"Jordie can play multiple positions in the backline and we're confident that he'll handle the responsibility well," says Hansen. "He has all the skillsets required and we're looking forward to seeing him play there."
Other aspects of the team to face Namibia:
- Captain Kieran Read earns a rest, with Sam Whitelock leading the side from lock.
- Ardie Savea, who has started at blindside flanker for most of the season, will move the back of the scrum, filling Read's No.8 jersey.
- Jack Goodhue will continue his comeback from a hamstring injury, starting in the midfield alongside Anton Lienert-Brown.
All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Samuel Whitelock, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Jordie Barrett, 11-George Bridge, 12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Ben Smith
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, 20-Matt Todd, 21-Brad Weber, 22-T J Perenara, 23-Rieko Ioane
Namibia: 1-Andre Rademeyer, 2-Torsten van Jaarsvel, 3-AJ De Klerk, 4-PJ Van Lill, 5-Tjiuee Uanivi, 6-Prince Gaoseb, 7-Thomasau Forbes, 8-Janco Venter, 9-Damian Stevens, 10-Helarius Kisting, 11-JC Greyling, 12-Johan Deysel, 13-Justin Newman, 14-Lesley Klim, 15-Johan Tromp
Reserves: 16-Obert Nortje, 17-Nelius Theron, 18-Johannes Coetzee, 19-Johan Retief, 20-Adriaan Booysen, 21-Eugene Jantjies, 22-Darryl de la Harpe, 23-Janry du Toit
Join us at 5:45pm Sunday for live updates of the All Blacks v Namibia Rugby World Cup clash
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