Beauden Barrett has claimed the number 10 jersey for the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup Test match against Australia in Sydney on Saturday night.
The Super Rugby winning playmaker has beaten out incumbent Aaron Cruden for the most hotly contested position in the All Blacks backline.
Chiefs prop Kane Hames has been named on the bench, and will make his Test debut if he gets game time. Hames will be joined by 43-Test veteran Julian Savea, who has missed out on a starting spot after an inconsistent season.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: "The selectors are very happy with the 23 selected for this Test match and we're looking forward to seeing them play.
"This Test match will be another stepping stone in the re-establishment of this group on the international stage and we know that Australia will throw everything at us, which is what Test rugby is all about. With more than 800 Test caps of experience in our match day 23, I'm confident we have the experience to deal with the challenge. "We're all really excited about this first Investec Rugby Championship Test match. It's against one of our most respected rivals and the championship itself is one of the best competitions in the world. It produces an exciting brand of rugby and world-class players, which both teams have."
Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa will partner up in the midfield, while Nathan Harris gets a second run on start at hooker with Dane Coles unavailable through injury.
1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Waisake Naholo, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 14. Ben Smith, 15. Israel Dagg
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Charlie Faumuina, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, TJ perenara, Aaron Cruden, Julian Savea
Video courtesy of Allblacks.com
Newshub.
