They've hit the big time earlier than planned but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes rookies Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape can thrive in a pressure cooker rugby occasion.
Hansen was forced into bringing three new faces into his starting team for the third and deciding Test against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday in Auckland - all in the backline and all from the Hurricanes.
Medical concerns ruled out wingers Rieko Ioane (ill) and Waisake Naholo (concussion) while second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams is banned following his match-defining red card early in the second Test loss in Wellington.
While the proven Julian Savea's return to the left wing raises few eyebrows, it is a first start baptism of fire for both midfielder Laumape and Barrett, who will play fullback after Israel Dagg's switch to the right wing.
Hansen has faith in the newcomers, whose lone Tests have both come off the bench.
Precociously talented 20-year-old Barrett enjoyed a brief cameo against Samoa last month, while former Warriors NRL player Laumape had a stiffer introduction, for 55 minutes in place of Williams last week as the hosts crashed to a 24-21 loss.
The 24-year-old has held out Malakai Fekitoa, who is on the bench after earning a squad recall this week.
"Ngani's all-round game, we think, is slightly better than Mala's. That's why we picked him in the first place," Hansen said.
"He's probably getting pushed up the ladder a little quicker than we want but he's an experienced athlete who's played a lot of big time football for various other codes.
"We're very confident that he'll front up."
Barrett is still a raw product but has shown sufficient attacking class and the aerial skills required at Test level, Hansen said.
"Whatever he does on Saturday, it's just the beginning. He's only going to get better and better.
He's a good defender when he gets his positioning right. We've worked hard on that with him.
"Do we have confidence? We wouldn't have picked him in the first place if we didn't."
Despite Barrett's goalkicking prowess, older brother and first five-eighth Beauden looks set to retain that duty at Eden Park.
Like the Samoan Test, three Barrett brothers are in the matchday 23, including reserve lock Scott.
Elsewhere, captain Kieran Read will play his 100th Test in what is his 25th cap as skipper. He will be the seventh All Black to reach the century.
Aaron Cruden and Charlie Faumuina will bring up 50 caps if used off the reserves bench. It could also be the last Test for the pair, who have signed French club contracts beginning later this year.
All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.
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