Blues powerhouse Akira Ioane has been named for his All Blacks test debut, as coach Ian Foster rings the changes for the dead-rubber Bledisloe IV test against Australia.
After New Zealand clinched the trans-Tasman bragging rights last week with a record 43-5 victory in Sydney, Foster has loosened the selection reins, resting several veterans to give fringe members of the test squad a run in Brisbane.
Ioane - older brother of teammate Rieko Ioane - has played once before for the All Blacks, against a French XV in 2017, and earned his latest call-up with outstanding form during Super Rugby Aotearoa.
For several seasons, Ioane, 25, has struggled to fulfill his obvious potential, but took his game to a new level this year.
He will start at blindside flanker, with three more test newbies coming off the bench - hooker Asafo Aumua, loose forward Cullen Grace and utility back Will Jordan.
"We have been greatly impressed with Akira," says Foster. "He's keen, he's ready and to have his first test start is pretty special.
"I know Asafo is excited for his first test and he'll bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm when he comes off the bench.
"Cullen Grace is a young man who has also been very impressive. He's got a nice, quiet demeanour about him, but we know he's excited.
"Will Jordan has also been working really hard - he's settled in really, really well and he's got a calmness about him. He's been doing a great job behind the scenes and we're delighted he's got his opportunity."
Other changes to the Bledisloe III line-up see Codie Taylor starting at hooker, Scott Barrett replacing Patrick Tuipulotu at lock, Ardie Savea returning to No.8, TJ Perenara slotting into halfback, with Rieko Ioane, Ngani Laumape and Sevu Reece joining the backline.
Beauden Barrett will shift from fullback to first-five, while brother Jordie moves from wing to the No.15 jersey.
Halfback Brad Weber will make his first appearance of the series off the bench.
At lock, Sam Whitelock will bring up his 100th test start in his 120th test appearance - the fifth All Black to achieve this milestone.
Earlier in the week, assistant coach John Plumtree hinted at tweaks to the playing group.
"Obviously, this week, there are going to be some changes," he said. "That will provide a different excitement and energy within the group in this build-up.
"We've got some players knocking on the door. There's been some awesome competition for sports and we can expect some changes to freshen players up."
The full line-up is:
All Blacks: 1-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-Ngani Laumape, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Alex Hodgman, 18-Tyrel Lomax, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, 20-Cullen Grace, 21-Brad Weber, 22-Damian McKenzie, 23-Will Jordan
Join us at 9:45pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Wallabies Bledisloe IV test
