All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is staunchly defending the rookie team named to play the high-profile Test against the United States in Chicago.
Hansen has rolled out the least experienced New Zealand Test team for five years to face the Eagles at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams fill inside back roles while Dan Carter moves from the medical tent to the reserves bench in the most notable selections.
However, it is the names missing which will bring a furrow to the brow of US organisers, who have sold the maximum 61,500 tickets and convinced NBC to broadcast the Test live in weekend prime time.
Hansen unveiled 12 changes from the team who pipped Australia 29-28 in Brisbane two weeks ago.
“The primary thing is that we’ve got to do the right thing for our team,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity for us to give some people some game time and give some other people a bit of a breather because it’s been a busy schedule.”
The entire starting pack from Brisbane has been replaced aside from No.8 Kieran Read, who will captain his country for the eighth time in 70 Tests.
Regular skipper Richie McCaw will miss his first Test of what has been an outstanding season to date.
“Richie might have wanted to play but he doesn’t pick the team,” Hansen said.
“He’s been busy and this is the logical game to leave him out.”
Just fullback Israel Dagg and wing Cory Jane are retained in the starting backline.
The last time an All Blacks starting team with fewer than their 331 caps played was the shaky 20-6 defeat of Italy at Milan in 2009.
It is 155 Tests since a less experienced tight five was fielded.
Among the green big men is Nathan Harris, 22, who will be the youngest starting hooker since Hika Reid in 1980.
Harris, halfback TJ Perenara and lock Patrick Tuipulotu will all make their first starts while reserve halfback Augustine Pulu is set to make his debut.
Five forwards more used to Test bench appearances are in the pack – flankers Sam Cane and Victor Vito, lock Jeremy Thrush and props Joe Moody and Charlie Faumuina.
Williams will play his 20th Test and make his first start of any sort since code-hopping back from rugby league last month.
He starts inside recalled centre Ryan Crotty and outside former Chiefs teammate Cruden, who plays his first Test since missing the team flight to Argentina five weeks ago.
Injury-prone playmaker Carter is poised for his first Test appearance in nearly a year.
Hansen says the 32-year-old has felt no leg pain at training this week and will ideally play the last 30 minutes on Saturday.
An unusually experienced reserves bench averages 49 caps per player, even with the inclusion of Pulu.
All Blacks
Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Charles Piutau, Aaron Cruden, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Victor Vito, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jeremy Thrush, Charlie Faumuina, Nathan Harris, Joe Moody. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Augustine Pulu, Daniel Carter, Julian Savea
atlas
Guest
Getting difficult to find an actual rugby thread on this forum - how many threads are required (wanted?) on beale and co. I for one am interested in the actual game. There's lots happening around the rugby world During the week Thailand was well-beaten 12-29 at home by Malaysia in an IRB ranking match, having won the earlier fixture. 72nd ranked beats 60th, well done Malaysia, and the team I support, Thailand, - well, keep up the good work! An important match for both sides, they only got those 2 tests in 2014 This month Russia has a two-match 'tour' to Hong Kong with tests 8th and 15th Nov And not an international, but another match took place this evening, with the Maori All Blacks playing the first of their two tests against Japan. The Maori All Blacks won 61-21 Some highlights here: http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/maori-all-blacks-dominant-against-japan-2014110119 A very disappointing result from Japan against an inexperienced Maori side playing their first game together. I never expected a margin like this.
Wolfpack
Guest
mate have you been watching rugby at all over the last 10 years? 3 digit loss is a stupid thing to say
Aidan Loveridge
Roar Pro
3 digit loss? Dude its USA not Sri Lanka your severely underestimating them id say our best team would put about 60 points on them and this team will probably put 40 on them but at the same time the yanks will have a few bright moments they're not completely helpless (if we end up winning 60 nil i will retract my statement)
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Easily beat Eng? The first choice side hasnt beaten them easily so why would this one? Eng are again very injury hit with Croft, T.Youngs, Eastmond, Tuilagi, Corbisiero, Cole, M.Vunipola, Burrell and Parling out but they have good depth and will be difficult for NZ to beat. Im guessing 1) Marler 2) Hartley 3) Wilson 4) Launchbury 5) Lawes 6) Wood 7) Robshaw 8) Vunipola 9) Care 10) Farrell 11) Yarde 12) 36 13) Joseph 14) Nowell 15) Brown and thats a pretty good team. Not as good as they will be but still a very good side.
R2Sydney
Guest
They have Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Charles Piutau, Aaron Cruden, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Victor Vito and reserves: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Daniel Carter, Julian Savea. Is this a good line-up or not? It will keep the score reasonable and not embarrassing for the Eagles. More of a contest. Good selection IMHO.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Really hope the Eagles are competitive and put on a good show. This could really put rugby in the news in the US and if only 5% of the students who excel in athletics, gridiron, basket etc watch this game its possible a few of them might be tempted by a switch to rugby if they don't make the cut in their sport. Cant wait for the haka, how the crowd reacts etc and hope the yanks don't watch the AB play.
martin english (@martin_english)
Guest
This is as much a marketing exercise as anything else.. While under strength for an ABs side, the touring side will have no problems beating the Eagles. On the other hand, having a full strength ABs side would result in an embarrassing (3 digit) loss by the Eagles. No one wants to see that, and more importantly, the US audience won't support a team or game where they get flogged. hth PS I can't believe I'm calling a squad with over 330 test caps, with starting players like Cruden and SBW, "understrength" :)
ethan
Guest
This team will still kill USA, and if the starting team don't bring it, the regular starters on the bench will. I can understand peoples disappointment at not seeing all the best players, but they will still see be watching great players and the result will be the same. It is smart from Hansen.
Kibz
Guest
Plenty of people are absolutely gutted that they won't get to see McCaw play, I have mates flying in from all over the USA, and the greatest player of all time won't be leading MIB.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Kia, I agree with the razzle dazzle potential of this side... it is a very strong side. Harris is really the only real inexperienced one. If any concerns (at least for me) is whether SBW is getting up to speed and some of the combinations (which was a factor in Japan last year, but I think the 23 chosen for this match is a lot stronger than the one against Japan). It will be interesting to watch. TJP needs to step up or Pulu might overtake him to be number 2 behind Aaron Smith (I think he will be thereabouts by RWC time anyhow)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Tough marker mate, I think they will go well. I think you are right in that this side would give most international sides a big fright. If you look at the run on side individually, Harris is the only real rookie in the forwards and SBW may not be up to speed but the others have either played for the 1st choice side recently either on the run on side or at least from on the bench. If there is a weakness, I think TJP needs to step up now with Pulu breathing down his neck. These two have a chance as we need back up to Aaron Smith who needs a rest anyhow, he has had a big season.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I'm wrapped for Sam Cane. He has had to be so patient, backing up the 'great one' and (at least not publicly) not a word of dissent... I hope he has a blinder.
WQ
Guest
I wouldn't mind seeing this Team running around in Western QLD Jerseys just quietly!
Dan
Guest
Nonsense. That 'second' team would get beaten by South Africa, probably England and perhaps Australia/Ireland (if they turned up). Without Conrad their backline has less defensive starch, and with the exception of Read the forward pack isn't amazing.
moaman
Guest
I wouldn't be happy to see thisside selected to play England. This looks like a 'dirt-trackers' side on a tour match.Having said that I think it's all we could have expected.It's still a very strong side and would push most international opposition.
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
Hanson has nothing to defend imo. This is an excellent team and would easily beat England imo
Wolfpack
Guest
Why don't they pick Ngwenya anymore? I think he was picked he was picked in the squad but not in the match day squad again?
Shop
Guest
Kudos to the Aig's for playing in the US. I would like to see the IRB encourage ALL the top tier teams to play 2nd tier once per year. I notice Ireland are playing Georgia this year also. Oz versus Romania maybe or France v Spain/Portugal? It is a great opportunity for lesser teams to get experience and for the better teams to test their depth (as we are seeing here). Money might be an issue but sometimes the expansion and experience can outweigh the dollar sign.
Milso
Guest
That 'second' team would still beat every team in the world - it's very, very good! Looking forward to when we are able to pump out second teams like that.
ROTUMA ISLAND
Guest
I thought they would go with SBW and Fekitoa in the centers.