The All Blacks have named their least experienced team for nearly four years to face France in the first Test at Auckland.
The starting 15 to run onto Eden Park on Saturday boasts just 377 combined Test caps, with little-used front-rowers Dane Coles and Wyatt Crockett included in an inexperienced tight five.
It is the least hardened side since a team featuring 229 combined caps faced Italy at Milan in November 2009 – 43 Tests ago.
Missing are two experienced playmakers – first five-eighth Dan Carter (hand) and halfback Piri Weepu (concussion) – who have been in doubt all week due to injury.
Their places go to Manawatu provincial teammates Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith in a backline that looks more settled than the forward pack.
Of the nine players retained from the starting 15 who lost 38-21 to England at Twickenham in the final game of 2012, five are in the backs.
The changes are Cruden’s promotion over Carter and the injured Cory Jane’s replacement on the right wing by 12-Test Ben Smith, who will make his fourth start.
Fullback Israel Dagg and wing Julian Savea also start outside the old firm of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who will extend their record New Zealand Test record midfield combination to 44 Tests.
The four forwards retained from Twickenham are No.8 Kieran Read, who is captain for the three-Test series, flanker Liam Messam, lock Brodie Retallick and tighthead prop Owen Franks, easily the most experienced member of the tight five with 45 caps.
Four-Test openside flanker Sam Cane starts in place of veteran skipper Richie McCaw, who is taking a break from rugby, lock Luke Romano is in for an injured Sam Whitelock (finger), prop Crockett replaces an injured Tony Woodcock (hamstring and nose abscess) and four-Test hooker Coles is handed a first start.
There are two new caps on the eight-man bench – also tight five forwards – prop Ben Afeaki and lock Jeremy Thrush.
While injuries have forced coach Steve Hansen to make changes up front, the promotion of Coles ahead of 34-year-old veterans Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore was unexpected.
The 26-year-old came off the bench on all four Tests in the 2012 season-ending tour of Europe.
Three different injuries (ankle, thumb and eye) has seen him struggle for game time with the Hurricanes.
He has played just six games, including last weekend against the ACT Brumbies following a five-week spell on the sideline.
The Test is the first between the teams since they contested the World Cup final 20 months ago, also at Eden Park.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Ben Afeaki, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Rene Ranger.
atlas
Guest
don't think there was any 'letting go' involved, he went for the $$$$$$$$$$$$ he'd have spent a lot of time on the bench if he'd stayed, overseas was best option and doubt he has any regrets
atlas
Guest
the other French game - on Tuesday evening they face the Blues at Auckland Blues have had to bring in two players from their extended player squad ( Malakai Fekitoa, Tevita Li) to cover for the six players in the All Blacks - Keven Mealamu, Steven Luatua, Piri Weepu, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili and Charles Piutau In addition Ali Williams and Luke Braid are not available, needing recovery time before the SA Blues tour, but my rumour has it they are on standby should ABs have any injuries in first test - an Ali comeback? If they lose another lock he'd be an option for sure. The Blues team to face France at North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday (NZT7.05pm): Marty McKenzie, Frank Halai, Malakai Fekitoa, Jackson Willison, George Moala, Baden Kerr, Jamison Gibson-Park, Peter Saili, Brendon O'Connor, Kane Barrett, Culum Retallick, Anthony Boric, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Parsons (c), Sam Prattley. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Angus Ta'avao, Liaki Moli, Ronald Raaymakers, Sean Polwart, Chris Noakes, Tevita Li, Wayne Ngaluafe. Tevita Li - age 18. At 17 he was training with the NZ Sevens squad but had to wait till he turned 18 (March) to play, and made his debut in London in May. Wing, fullback, one to watch.
Roland Chan
Roar Rookie
Looks alright to me. Bit of a ? over Crockett. Coles occasionally surprises, so who knows. Can't see the French getting up. Let's not talk about 2007 :-)
jus de couchon
Guest
You kiwis missed a trick by letting Nick Evans come over here. Best fly half Ive seen , Including Carter.
Cantab
Guest
Haha, that guy! Man his career sky rocketed out of know where then came crashing down just as fast. 3 super rugby clubs in 4 years? Think he was only 25 when he left nz for Japan.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Cheers.
atlas
Guest
Isaac Ross - playing in Japan with NTT Shining Arcs team since 2011 think he realised he was on the outer with AB selection and made the most of the years he had left
Jerry
Guest
According to Ian Smith, Dusautior plays football anyway.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
* Just reading an article about the 2009 loss - whatever happened to Isaac Ross? I recall some fluffing about with Hansen/Henry wanting him to play a bit of 6, and him saying he wanted to be considered as a lock. Haven't heard about him since then.
atlas
Guest
as above 'injured Tony Woodcock (hamstring and nose abscess)' maybe not a pretty sight, that nose!
Chivas
Guest
100 % OJ. We may not see eye to eye on Ali :-), but for NZ to change eligibility rules means we would have tier one playing overseas in a heartbeat.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
That's not actually strictly true: Dusautoir plays a tight role and close to the ruck. Ouedraogo plays in the wider channels. Dusautoir certainly isn't a roving sort of player. In any case, if it were a 'fluid role' then Cane doesn't compete directly against Dusautoir. It's a moot point anyway, as they're totally different players.
Chivas
Guest
I agree. Fitzy was no princess either. Playing for Uni he was known to throw a punch going into scrums. He didn't get a name for being a dirty player for nought. Mania refers to it politely as cheating. Great hooker and captain. Dirty bstd though.
richard
Guest
In the French team,Dusatoir may be a blindside,but his role essentially is a roving one.The blind and openside roles in the French team are fluid.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I think this is the least imposing AB pack I've seen since 2002/03. This is a heavyweight French tight five, but I think it would be much stronger in the set piece if Guirado and Mas were starting. Ducalcon is pretty average, and Crockett should be thanking his lucky stars Mas isn't there, as that could have been brutal. No idea why Szarzewski is there personally, but the coaches seem to rate him... The French lock pairing is pretty immobile, but then NZ are missing Whitelock, and the selection of two grunt locks might benefit them against the French. The backline pretty much selects itself, but with form issues over A. Smith, Nonu and Dagg this is a good time to play the ABs. Parra is a huge loss, but the back row and midfield units are outstanding IMO. Looking forward to it.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Dusautoir is a blindside flanker.
DR
Guest
Coles will be fine. He is the best prospect coming through. Crockett is a worry. Anyone know why woodcock isn't there? Injury perhaps or form? If you want to be worried about someone worry about A Smith. Cannot see him in black much longer as I expect TKB and TJ will be the long term options.
moaman
Roar Guru
thanks for that. Has given me a couple of blokes to keep an eye on at least.
richard
Guest
"Cane does the grunt work at Super level'.They used to say the same thing about Reuben Thorne - oh,that's right,he does the graft that people didn't see. We will see how good your theory holds up when he comes up v Dusatoir this weekend.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He dominates every week at Super level, and he went alright in his last few in the Black. Franks should have started imo.