The All Blacks have sprung a major surprise by naming Damian McKenzie to start at fullback in the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Yokohama on Saturday.
Coach Steve Hansen has shuffled Ben Smith to the wing to make room for the diminutive but exciting McKenzie, who had been employed primarily as a bench impact player this year.
The Chiefs flyer gets his starting chance at No.15 in a run-on backline which also includes TJ Perenara, who has leapfrogged usual starting halfback Aaron Smith.
Hansen has made five starting personnel changes from the team who pipped South Africa 32-30 in Pretoria three weeks ago to complete the defence of their Rugby Championship crown.
As expected, Ardie Savea and Liam Squire are the starting flankers in place of injured pair Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell.
At prop, Joe Moody returns from injury in place of Karl Tu'inukuafe to form part of an all-Crusaders tight five.
World class lock Brodie Retallick is named on the bench, having recently overcome a shoulder injury, while it could be the first Test appearances of the year for flanker Matt Todd and prop Nepo Laulala.
It is the inclusion of McKenzie, effectively for winger Waisake Naholo, which will attract the attention of the Wallabies.
A hugely dangerous counter-attacker, he has previously shown a propensity for unforced mistakes and could by a target of high kicks from the Wallabies.
Inside centre Sonny Bill Williams has retained his spot despite a modest outing in Pretoria and will play his 50th Test.
Williams will start outside Beauden Barrett, who scored a Bledisloe Cup record 30 points, including four tries, at Eden Park when New Zealand won their last meeting 40-12 in August.
ALL BLACKS
Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Matt Todd, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
