TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie will form the first halves combination under new coach Scott Robertson for the All Blacks' opening test of 2024 against England in Dunedin on Saturday.
Chiefs playmaker McKenzie will wear the No. 10 jersey, while recalled Hurricanes veteran Perenara returns for his first test since 2022, when he ruptured his Achilles against England. He'll be backed up by Finlay Christie off the bench.
The run-on side also features the return of Blues Super Rugby Pacific champion Stephen Perofeta at fullback, sparkplug Sevu Reece on the wing and hitman Samipeni Finau at blindside flanker.
Reece will also play his first test since 2022, bouncing back from his ruptured ACL to become Super Rugby Pacific's joint leading tryscorer.
The sames goes for Perofeta, whose last cap came off the bench against Scotland during the annual European tour two years ago. He earns the call-up over Beauden Barrett, who skipped this year's Super Rugby Pacific in favour of a sabbatical in Japan.
Finau forms a loose-forward trio with Blues star Dalton Papali'i, with Ardie Savea also back from Japan to wear the No. 8 jersey.
Scott Barrett takes the reins at captain for the first time, starting alongside Patrick Tuipulotu at lock.
Codie Taylor gets the nod at hooker ahead of reserve Asafo Aumua, packing down with props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax.
Robertson has named an experienced bench which includes Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown and Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
"This was a very tough squad to pick, but we've selected the best 23 players to beat England on Saturday," Robertson said.
"There is a lot of excitement in the group for our first test and we're walking together toward this opportunity to represent New Zealand and our families in Dunedin in front of a sold-out stadium.
"We've prepared well and we're ready."
The match is the first in a two-test series against the English, with the second scheduled for Auckland's Eden Park on July 13.
All Blacks: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Scott Barrett (captain) 5-Patrick Tuipulotu, 6-Samipeni Finau, 7-Dalton Papali'i, 8-Ardie Savea (vice-captain), 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Mark Tele'a, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Tupou Vaa'i, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Anton Lienert-Brown, 23-Beauden Barrett
