Akira Ioane is out to make the most of a rare chance, afforded another opportunity to prove his worth as an All Blacks loose forward against Australia on Saturday.
Even after securing the Bledisloe Cup in Melbourne last week, there is still much to play for at Eden Park on Saturday.
The All Blacks and South Africa are level on points heading into the final fixtures this weekend, with three wins, two losses and two bonus points apiece.
Only points differential separates the All Blacks and Springboks, with the trophy to be decided on Saturday.
Injuries to Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell, and the unavailability of Ethan Blackadder, has left 27-year-old Ioane as the last man standing at No.6 for the All Blacks.
Ioane has started just two tests for the All Blacks in 2022, coming in defeats to Ireland in Wellington and South Africa in Nelspruit.
That defeat in Wellington also had Ioane originally slated to start on the bench, only for a late injury to Barrett elevating him into the starting side.
But with the side now on a two-game winning streak - the first time notching consecutive wins this year - Ioane has another chance to make the No.6 jersey his own.
And in Ioane's favour is form against Australia, most notably a man of the match performance against the Wallabies in Perth last year.
"It's always special getting a start," Ioane said. "But those boys are playing well as well.
"But you can't be mad at the coaches for that. [I've] just got to take my opportunity this week.
"[I'll] make sure to give my best for the team, and do my job."
For the All Blacks, the trio of Ioane, Dalton Papali'i and Ardie Savea is a completely new loose forward line up from the one that started in last week's 39-37 victory over Australia in Melbourne.
Papali'i has been given the nod to replace captain Sam Cane at No.7, while Savea returns from paternity leave to anchor the scrum at No.8.
And for Ioane, the chance to share the field with Savea in particular is a welcome one, as one of New Zealand's - if not the world's - best players in 2022.
"Ards is a special player, everyone knows it," he added. "He's probably the best player for our team going around.
"We've just got to help him out, do what we can, do our job so he can be out on the wing, stepping everyone, gassing all the wingers and stuff like that.
"We just have to do our job, then those moments will happen with Ardie and even this guy [Papali'i] sometimes.
"[I'm] just looking forward to what we can do on Saturday night."
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