All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named a strong side for Saturday's Rugby Championship finale against South Africa on the Gold Coast, featuring the returning Richie Mo'unga on the bench.
Fresh from sealing the Rugby Championship title with the 19-17 victory in Townsville last week, coach Foster has signalled his intent to see the All Blacks complete the tournament with an unbeaten record.
Only a handful of changes have been made to the starting side from last Saturday, most notably seeing Anton Lienert-Brown return from injury to partner David Havili in midfield.
Brad Weber takes the starting halfback role from TJ Perenara, who moves to the bench in his place.
Luke Jacobson takes the No. 8 role, having been withdrawn from the starting side last week due to illness, and takes the place of Ethan Blackadder in the starting side, shifting captain Ardie Savea to the No. 7 jersey.
Wingers George Bridge and Will Jordan drop out of the squad altogether, replaced on the flanks by Rieko Ioane - who started at centre in Townsville - and Sevu Reece.
On the bench, Mo'unga returns after joining up with the squad earlier this week, having arrived in Australia late following the birth of his child.
Asafo Aumua replaces Samisoni Taukei'aho as the reserve hooker, while George Bower comes onto the bench in place of Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Hoskins Sotutu is another to drop out of the side to accommodate Blackadder's shift to the bench, while Damian McKenzie fills the No. 23 jersey.
And despite Saturday's being the fifth test in as many weeks, Foster makes it clear that the All Blacks are focussed on completing the southern hemisphere's 'Grand Slam.'
"The energy levels are high in the team, it's our fifth test in a row, and we're highly motivated ahead of another big Test against South Africa and the last test of the Championship," Foster says.
"We've achieved the Championship title, which we're really proud to have achieved. The fact that we now have the chance to achieve a potential Grand Slam against our southern hemisphere opponents is pretty special. I'm excited by that and it has already given this weekend's Test an edge."
All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Ardie Savea (c), 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Brad Weber, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-David Havili, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-George Bower, 18-Ofa Tuungafasi, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, 20-Ethan Blackadder, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Damian McKenzie.
Join Newshub for live updates of the All Blacks v South Africa Rugby Championship clash from 11pm Saturday.
