The All Blacks have named two debutants in their first team of 2022, with Crusaders winger Leicester Fainga'anuku and Chiefs loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula to make their first test appearances against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.
Fainga'anuku, 22, is preferred over Caleb Clarke in the No.11 jersey, while 27-year-old Sowakula has been named on the bench to cover the loose forwards.
Scott Barrett will also start on the blindside of the scrum, named as part of the loose forward trio alongside captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea.
Beauden Barrett has been given the reins at No.10, while Richie Mo'unga will come off the bench after recovering from a stomach bug in the week.
In midfield, Quinn Tupaea starts with both David Havili and Jack Goodhue ruled out with COVID-19, while former NZ Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck doesn't feature in the matchday 23.
Crusaders teammate Sevu Reece joins Fainga'anuku in the back three, after Will Jordan was also scratched due to COVID, as Jordie Barrett takes the No.15 jersey at fullback.
Lock Sam Whitelock and halfback Aaron Smith have both passed fit, after entering the All Blacks' camp under injury clouds from Super Rugby Pacific, and start in their respective positions.
Whitelock will earn his 133rd test cap for the All Blacks to sit second to Richie McCaw for the most apperances for New Zealand, going past Keven Mealamu.
On the bench, Finlay Christie is preferred over Folau Fakatava as reserve halfback, while Braydon Ennor has been named in the No.23 jersey to cover wing and midfield after the COVID outbreak in the camp earlier in the week.
"Whilst this week hasn't exactly gone to plan for us, our overall preparation has gone really well," Foster said.
"We've prepared rigorously for this match, albeit only having a ten day period together."
"We have huge respect for this Irish team and can't wait to run out onto a packed Eden Park on Saturday to kick off the 2022 Steinlager series."
All Blacks: 1-George Bower, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Scott Barrett, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Quinn Tupaea, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Pita Gus Sowakula, 20-Dalton Papalii, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Braydon Ennor
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