Ben Smith will become the 68th All Blacks Test skipper after being named to lead the world champions out for their season-opening Test against Samoa.
The world class fullback, a veteran of 60 Tests, will captain an experienced team for the clash at Eden Park on Friday.
Flanker Sam Cane was considered a good chance to be named skipper in the absence of the injured Kieran Read, having done so twice before.
However, coach Steve Hansen went for a man who has impressed as Highlanders co-captain for two seasons and was appointed to that role with the All Blacks last year.
Smith will be the first fullback to lead the All Blacks since Mils Muliaina did for three Tests in 2009.
Read is expected to be fit for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions on June 24.
His No.8 berth is taken this week by livewire Ardie Savea, whose previous 12 appearances were as a reserve or a flanker.
Regarded previously as an openside specialist, Savea has started five games at No.8 for the Hurricanes this year.
The Test will be a special one for the Barrett family, after three brothers were included in the 23, including the uncapped Jordie Barrett on the reserves bench.
Lock Scott Barrett is also on the bench while starting first five-eighth Beauden, the reigning world player of the year, will play his 50th Test.
Assuming both reserves come on, it will be the first time three All Blacks brothers have played in the same Test.
Another debut looms for Jordie Barrett’s Hurricanes teammate and lock Vaea Fifita, who is on the bench as loose forward cover in the absence of Read and Liam Squire (thumb).
Hansen says he plans to use both uncapped players at some point.
Aaron Smith has won the contentious halfback spot ahead of TJ Perenara, reversing the pecking order of last November’s tour when Smith’s form dipped badly.
Second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams will play his first Test since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, having had a dab at sevens last year.
Reserve hooker Nathan Harris played his most recent Test a year ago, before embarking on another lengthy period of injury.
The starting tight five features four of the Crusaders pack who struggled for authority in the 12-3 loss to the Lions on Saturday.
Codie Taylor starts at hooker, with Dane Coles still recovering from concussion symptoms.
In the starting XV, there are three backs and five forwards who also ran out in their most recent Test, the 24-19 defeat of France in Paris last November.
All Blacks:
Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Vaea Fifita, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Jordie Barrett.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Imo it'll be sbw and Crotty, like Nonu and Smith. Alb on the bench
ClarkeG
Guest
and that of all things would make him a " bonehead ".....good on ya.
Cuw
Guest
Crotty is the best defensive center in NZ - if that was not evident in the Crusaders v Lions performance , then u need to watch more matches !!! Crotty is the fixture when fit , others will rotate around him. Had Ngatai been fitter he would be the 13. guys like Crotty and Conrad before him , do not get much noticed becoz they play with flamboyant guys like Nonu and SBW. but it is the defensive center who aligns the defence and without them the whole thing goes into disarray.
Jemain Okinga
Roar Rookie
Tu meke West
WEST
Roar Guru
Cane is a bit of a bonehead, but with a few more years he might mature... Maybe. @ Cuw your right about Cane with the Chiefs he looks to Cruden to make calls on a few things or he just looks around for as many opinions on the situation before coming up with a conclusion.
Cuw
Guest
probably becoz Cane is an average captain - like Hooper. if u watch Chiefs it is cruden who really makes the calls.
Jumbo
Guest
I still see sbw as that impact off the bench player that can change dynamics and test tired defences late in games.
Jumbo
Guest
Hmmmm little mac at 10, was that a suggestion from the brains trust? Looking at possible ab back up? Time will tell..
Tony
Guest
Highlander Im not sure if Crotty is a shoe in to replace SBW if fit as u assume - SBW offers all sorts of threats on defence and attack which Crotty ( for all his great steadiness and game reading ) does not and SBW is a proven big game player. I wld also keep ALB at centre hes magic.
Koura
Guest
Interesting stat. 11 of the starting 15 for Samoa are New Zealand born
WEST
Roar Guru
Na bro, once they put on the jersey with the four eyes looking in all directions, the taiaha offers spiritual protection to the players, providing a watchful eye over the wearer at all times. The patterned arms represent whakapapa and connectedness to each player’s whānau and iwi. The wearer has a responsibility to their family, the people and to New Zealand every time they take to the field, the players wear this jersey with pride and strength in their hearts, knowing that their representing them every time they do so The elaborately decorated handles of the spear-shaped fighting clubs on both sides of the jersey pay tribute to Mita Mohi’s dedication to the traditional Māori fighting art of mau taiaha. The power, direction and determination of the Māori All Blacks is with a shared heart, history and, ultimately, pride that they’ll wear the jersey to take on and win against the Lions.” Once they Perform the Timatanga Haka... That tells of a gathering of young warriors who are making a statement and setting aims, objectives and strategies to achieve matauranga (knowledge), whanaunatanga (unity) and taumatatanga (Excellence) ...They'll be sweet bro.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Brilliant job Colin Cooper. He has nailed it. Highlanders lineout + Hames who has lifted for these guys in the past Chiefs 8,9 Chiefs 9,10,12,15 There should be no excuses from the Maori about not having played together. If the scrum can sort itself out then we are in for a brilliant game. If the Lions allow that backline to get any space, it''s game over.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Machpants
Roar Guru
I see your point but the Maori have only had a week together, that's hard, especially for accuracy as a team.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Yeah you're probably right. A sad loss to NZ rugby, like many before.
Highlander
Guest
Not convinced yet on the Lions handling the pace of the game down under, lots of slowing the game down getting to set pieces. Only 3 points second half v Crusaders and no points in the last 25 vs Highlanders. Maori will likely be another step up in game speed, gonna be hard to strangle this one.
Machpants
Roar Guru
I'm wondering why Cane wasn't named Captain? Maybe the Brains Trust are having second thoughts, after giving him Namibia in the RWC15, with 7 being such a position of strength. Whereas Bender has to be on the team, whether wing or FB
Mike Julz
Guest
That backline tho???? I think they should have Procter at wing with Ioane at centre but still dope lineup
Cuw
Guest
@ Machpants " Fafita is a lock really, so are they looking at Scott B into 6? I supposed they are both lock/6s. " Barret played one match at 6 , he was so-so. Fifita plays both 5 and 6 and is more like Luatua. if he was not going to Europe , Luatua would be one of the first names on the sheet ; silly ...
Cuw
Guest
not sure ardie is an 8 , but it seem the coaches want him on the park somewhere. even tho he plays 8 for the Hurricanes , most of the time Shields packs at 8. so wont be surprised if kaino packs at 8 , especially in the middle of the park with equal open and blind sides.