Fiji-born wing Emoni Narawa will make his All Blacks debut in their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina at Mendoza on Sunday (NZ time), while first-five Damian McKenzie and lock Josh Lord feature for the first time since 2021.
Narawa will earn his first cap a few days shy of his 24th birthday, with Caleb Clarke on the other wing. Beauden Barrett has won the race for the fullback jersey, ahead of Shaun Stevenson, who doesn't feature in the matchday squad.
The versatile McKenzie has been preferred to Richie Mo'unga in the No.10 jersey, although the latter is on the bench and may be held back for the home game against South Africa at Auckland a week later.
Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett make up the centre pairing, while halfback Aaron Smith will extend his record number of All Blacks caps for a back to 114.
Lord will partner the third Barrett brother, Scott, in the second row, while in front of them are props Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot, and hooker Dane Coles.
The back row of the scrum includes captain Sam Cane and fellow flanker Shannon Frizell. Ardie Savea starts at No.8.
"We have taken the need to build combinations in a vital year and balanced it with the need to manage the squad after Super Rugby," coach Ian Foster said.
"This is obviously a massive year and we are really confident in the way that we've been building. We have had a short build-up, but an effective one."
Last year was difficult for the side, despite their victory in the Rugby Championship, but Foster says there is a real desire to start this campaign on a positive note.
"We have loved our time here in Mendoza for what will be a tremendous challenge," he said. "We've enjoyed seeing how excited everyone is for this weekend's game and can't wait to get stuck into our work."
All Blacks: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Scott Barrett, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Josh Lord, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane (captain), 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Tupou Vaa'i, 20-Dalton Papali'i, 21-Finley Christie, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Braydon Ennor
Reuters/Newshub
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