All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has sprung a major surprise ahead of the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Sydney, opting for young gun Damian McKenzie at fullback.
The 22-year-old livewire, who enjoyed a stellar Super Rugby campaign with the Chiefs, is the main beneficiary of a backline reshuffle.
He will play in the black No.15 jumper for just the second time, while incumbent fullback Ben Smith moves onto the right edge.
Rieko Ioane, who missed July’s third British and Irish Lions Test through illness, has been named ahead of Waisake Naholo and Israel Dagg on the other wing.
Ryan Crotty and the returning Sonny Bill Williams are in midfield.
“We just think that for this game in particular, Damian has been playing really well and it gives us a better-balanced back three, aerially – and Rieko as we know is really strong too,” Hansen said.
“Our midfield combination is a one-two-three hit. We think the combination of Sonny and Crotty is the best one, they complement each other well.”
With star hooker Dane Coles ruled out earlier this week, the All Blacks forward line takes on a similar complexion to that seen against the Lions, with four of the tight five coming from the Crusaders.
However, in another surprise, bruising Highlanders loose forward Liam Squire has earned the nod at blindside ahead of 81-Test veteran Jerome Kaino.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner has been left out altogether.
With several of his All Blacks regulars leaving Kiwi shores post-Lions, Hansen has also been forced to make changes to his bench.
Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi will replace ex-teammate Charlie Faumuina as the All Blacks’ back-up tighthead, while Lima Sopoaga has been rewarded for his patience, named as reserve first-five behind Beauden Barrett.
Hansen said his side were determined to hang onto the Bledisloe, having won the trans-Tasman trophy 14 years on the bounce.
“It’s the biggest trophy we play for outside of the World Cup and it means a lot to the group – it’s part of who are we, and our legacy is about honouring, respecting and enhancing the jersey,” Hansen said.
“We’ve held this trophy for a while, and no one wants to be part of giving it up.”
NEW ZEALAND: Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. RESERVES: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Luke Romano, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Kelefua
Guest
This AB fan agrees with Fionn. A drawn series with the Lions felt like a loss.
watcher
Guest
To get the Lions series out of the way, the Lions showed great skill and determination. The AB's made the mistake of not taking their opportunities and keeping the Ref in the game. As for that non penalty the fact no advantage was played was the worse thing for me. In a way the AB's were dudded twice in the same play. Whatever, no one died, get over it. Drawn series. I think the AB's and Wallabies are quite evenly matched this weekend. I have rated Squire since he first came on the scene, McKenzie defensively will be interesting. Crotty and Ben Smith will provide the direction and calmness missing from the Lions Tests. I think this Wallabies team is the goods, the dominant teams in the world were the AB's and England as they transitioned out of the World Cup. England had find redemption after the WC debacle. Aussie, SA and others went straight into rebuilding mode making them vulnerable. Hansen's succession planning, before and after the WC was a masterclass, and has not been really highlighted the way it should be. Some ridiculous assertions were made on their place in history, which was exposed by Ireland and the Lions. This should be a high quality game on a fast track, good luck to both sides.
taylorman
Guest
Yep, agree with that Bakkies but injury to Barret and Dagg has also lead to Dmacs selection, preservation to Kainos...both according to the Biscuit man...
taylorman
Guest
Yes Jacko it's the last part that gets me. The decision between the TMO, who had the control and better view of the replays, and Poite, was agreed to. On his way back to his mark the linesman, the least important of the three in terms if the on field decision is able to turn that decision...how about you split the diff and award a scrum? Incompetence on behalf of the referee at a key moment has no place in this game. Barnes was the same, except not only couldn't he adhere to his own decisions, he couldn't even make them.
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
Idiot comment ... a drawn series becomes a loss because the AB's are so dominant? The lions were lucky to draw the series but according to "everyone" the ABs lost it. I know 15 years is a long time for you to suffer but objectivity is a wonderful thing, the truth will set you free.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I am listening to what professional referees are saying about that situation, not what one-eyed fans with an agenda are saying, whom never ever refereed rugby at pro level and who has very limited knowledge aboyt the laws in rugby and how these laws shall be applied. So I ask you again, find me one professional refs that says that it was the wrong call. Find me just one who can back your claims. You are completly wrong about ALB also. When he got the ball, the ref had already blown in his whishtle and the Lions players and most of the AB's had stopped playing already. And you can't play advantage on double knock ons (Williams first, Owens second), hence you can't play advantage on accidental offside. And about your last sentance, The main thing is that the ref get it right in the end. That is only thing that matters really. The linesman was dead right, so it was excellent work of him of explaining this to the ref before it was too late, otherwise both the ref and TMO would have looked like complete fools in the aftermath.
Jacko
Guest
its easy to score against the other Aus sides tho
KiwiHaydn
Guest
The Aussies can beat the Springboks, France, Argentina, Ireland and England (especially England) to rebuild their team, but the All Blacks - never. C'mon Black!
Jacko
Guest
non neutral you are the one who needs to get out the rule book but lets play your little game shall we........The ABs got a scrum feed for a KNOCK-ON... The player who touched it after the KNOCK ON was in front of the player who KNOCKED ON...There for it MUST be a penalty....show me the rules where it says its not..... Just for your benifit tho lets pretend it wasnt a penalty and that it should have been advantage to NZ which would have allowed ALB to play on and POSSIBLY score or set up someone else......So no matter which way you want to look at it there was a completely wrong decision by the ref.......... And playing your little "lets quote the refs who said it was wrong" game, can you please tell me which Linesman has ever overrulled a ref and a TMO after they have watched many replays and decided it WAS a penalty....
Muzzo
Guest
Hi OB, Just my opinion mate, but I did think that Shag, would have preferred to start with Crotty at Second five, & ALB at center, due to their form in Super Rugby. Why I think SBW shouldn't be there is due to his lack of game time, which was very limited, through out the season. Just my thoughts mate, but evidently Shag knows better. In Shag we trust.
cuw
Guest
allblacks have played 2 fullbacks in their lineup for like many years. most probably from the time they changed the kicking out from anywhere law. the one time in recent past they did not - ireland beat them :)
cuw
Guest
i think Crotty is there as the defence general - the role played by Conrad before. everytime he was missing all teams suffered - be it Canterbury , Crusaders or Allblacks.
cuw
Guest
that assertion would have been true if Cruden played. i dont think BB plays like Cruden so it will be difficult for Dmac to play the Chiefs game. one thing for sure - he will be nervos. wonder how many remember his last outing - against the argies - when he had a horror show.
cuw
Guest
@ pformagg i think the argument is Ben Smith is a better wing-f'back than Naholo and as Dagg is also injured the only option is to slot DMAC in at 15. most probably becoz (i read somewhere that) Hansen has said they see NMS only as a winger. (tho he played 15 in miter 10)
cuw
Guest
@ Machpants the story is everywhere :) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4787970/Shocking-messages-story-Black-sex-scandal.html
Jumbo
Guest
I think dmac's boot is a good reason for his inclusion, tactical kicking not bad either.
cuw
Guest
not really on two sides. on the one side it is not a case of discipline - he got carded for two high tackles due to the runner ducking. had the runners been upright he would have hit them perfectly on the sternum. u need to be superman to change posture once u are committed to the tackle | :) on the other side it has nothing to do with the ref - rather it is the current rules that anything hitting the head is a yellow or red , depending on the circumstances. on both yellows it was deemed accidental rather than deliberate , becoz the runners ducked into the tackle. however , becoz of head contact he had to be carded.
cuw
Guest
so Luatua and Cruden are both available still as far as i know :)
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Bakkies, what exactly is your axe to grind with Australian Rugby ? I assume your not Australian so why are you so invested ?
Jumbo
Guest
Alot has been said about his size but I think dmac will play a similar role he played at the chiefs, chopping and changing at fullback and first receiver with bb. Which is an asset in my opinion, definitely gives the abs more attacking options, should be exciting. It also gives bb an opportunity to attack from depth, which I believe is when he is most dangerous.