All Blacks coach Ian Foster has pulled a few selection surprises for the opening Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies this weekend.
Rieko Ioane will start on the left wing, having played centre in the July tests against Fiji, while David Havili will partner the returning Anton Lienert-Brown in the All Blacks midfield.
Veteran halfback Aaron Smith will play his 100th test in the trans-Tasman clash - the first New Zealand halfback to achieve that remarkable feat.
Having made his test debut in 2012 against Ireland, Smith is widely regarded as the best halfback in world rugby over the last decade, and recently re-signed wit New Zealand Rugby through the next World Cup.
“He’s a special man, he’s achieved so much in the black jersey and has been an iconic player for us over the last decade," Foster says of his No.9.
"We know it’ll be a special night for him, his wife Teagan and his family."
Crusaders flyer Sevu Reece starts on the right wing, with Damian McKenzie at fullback and Jordie Barrett providing cover from the bench.
That means no place for either Will Jordan or George Bridge, who both impressed during tests against Tonga and Fiji last month.
Up front, George Bower's rapid rise continues, with the hulking prop named alongside Nepo Laulala and hooker Codie Taylor in the front row.
Brode Retallick locks the scrum with skipper Sam Whitelock, while Ardie Savea will wear the No. 8 jersey with Blues duo Dalton Papalii and Akira Ioane completing the loose-forwards.
On the bench, Beauden Barrett will provide cover for first-choice playmaker Richie Mo'unga, Brad Weber is the backup halfback with Luke Jacobson, Scott Barrett, Dane Coles, Angus Ta'avoa and Karl Tu'inukuafe the reserve forwards.
All Blacks: 1-George Bower, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock (cap), 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papalii, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-David Havili, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 15-Sevu Reece, 15-Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Karl Tu'inikuafe, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Brad Weber, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Jordie Barrett
