New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has rung the changes as he has named his side to face Wales in the Rugby World Cup bronze-medal match on Friday.
Kieran Read, Sonny Bill Williams and Ben Smith will get their farewell Tests in All Blacks jerseys in a reshuffled squad to play Wales in the third-place playoff at the Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks were on track for a third consecutive title until a semi-final loss last weekend to England relegated them to the bronze match on Friday.
Read, who will be playing his 127th and last Test, will lead the All Blacks for the 52nd time, second only to Richie McCaw.
“Everyone wanted to play,” coach Steve Hansen, who will be in charge of the All Blacks for the last time.
“There’s been a lot of external talk around this being the game that no one wants to play.
“However, from our point of view, we can’t wait to play it.”
Hansen said all his players were motivated to show the 19-7 loss to an inspired England wasn’t up to New Zealand’s high standards.
“This is a Test match against an opposition that will be keen to make a statement,” Hansen said.
“We need to turn up with real attitude, intent and work ethic.”
The All Blacks have won 31 of the 34 tests between the nations, including all three previous matches at the World Cup.
Hansen was Wales coach in 2003 when New Zealand won the World Cup pool-stage game.
New Zealander Warren Gatland has coached Wales for 12 years and has never had a win over the All Blacks.
All three Barrett brothers are in the squad, with Beauden Barrett again starting at fullback, Scott moving from the blindside flank to the second row, and Jordie starting on the bench.
Sam Cane will start on the openside and Shannon Frizell on the blind in a back row combination with Read.
Dane Coles will start at hooker for his 69th Test.
In a backline featuring four changes to the semi-final starters, Williams and Ryan Crotty will form a veteran
midfield combination and Rieko Ioane and Ben Smith will start on the wings.
15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Ryan Crotty, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Aaron Smith; 8. Keiran Read (captain), 7. Sam Cane, 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Brodie Retallick, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Dane Coles, 1. Joe Moody
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Matt Todd, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Jordie Barrett
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Yeah mate, you are on the money there. The midfield selection always left me scratching my head this year. I think only twice did the same midfield was used in consecutive tests. From memory that was Crotty/Lienert-Brown vs Tonga and South Africa. And Lienert-Brown and Goodhue was used vs. Namibia, Ireland and England. The best combination balance wise to me was SBW/Lienert-Brown against Australia at Eden Park. I rate Goodhue and Lienert-Brown but I think one needs to paired up with a more direct partner. Hopefully the new coach likes Laumape. I always thought Read would have gone to 6 and Savea to 8 this year when Cane came back. In fairness that did happen a lot with Savea doing a lot of work off the back of the scrum. Read played better when he was in close being physical in both defence and attack. I expect Savea to be our first choice 8 next year. Blindside will be out of Frizzell Fifita and Jacobson (if he overcomes his concussion issues). The other position in the air next year will be lock. No Retallick for 2020 and Whitelock is playing in Japan instead of Super Rugby so maybe eased back in slowly. Scott Barrett and Tuipolotu have done a decent job this year but there will need to be a new one to be blooded. Possibly Walker-Leaware or Pari Pari Parkinson.
Beedy Eyes
Guest
Team looks stronger than last week. centres and backrow much bettter as is the lock combo.
Lara
Guest
Great to see Bender get a starting 15 spot.
Val Saunders
Guest
I predicted this backline yesterday and when I did suggested to my mate that if they pick as I thought this will be a better side than the semifinal one and Wales would be in for a tough night. The All Blacks did and Wales who can still win will be in for one almighty battle. This will be a game well worth watching!!
onebigvagina
Roar Rookie
Richie is a great kicker but, you're right, he fails to deliver as the flyhalf of the most dominant team in world rugby. Especially in the big games. Lots of unmet expectations.
KSB
Guest
Luke Jacobson would have been very useful against England. Quick, energetic, good ball carrier, and a dominant tackler. Should establish himself next year
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
Biggest rebuild since the last RWC which we have not really nailed to be fair. The loss of Nonu & Smith has not really been sorted out with a merry go round of combinations ever since. We still have no settled option at 6 for Kaino, with Savea being used basically out of position - the unavailability of Liam Squire did not help. Another revolving door over past couple of years. To be fair, we may not see anyone as good as Dan Carter... Same comment for McCaw.
Harty
Roar Rookie
I think Ben Smith is the best fullback in the game. Hindsight may say it was a mistake to sneak in Mounga when B Barrett had been so dominant for the last few years. I have to say I feel Mounga was invisible more often than not. Great player but I don’t think the swap worked.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Cane, Crotty, SBW, Ioane and Ben Smith and they may have been still there.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Hopefully the All Blacks are up for this game. Some good stalwarts and a superb coach having their last hurrah.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Funny thing about Ta'avao is that he has played in every All Black game this year. He does go missing at scrum time abit. 2020 is probably the biggest rebuilding year the All Blacks will face after a World Cup I reckon especially how competitive the International game is now. I hope Will Jordan is an All Black next year. Has a really natural well-balanced look about him. I also think Alex Nakenville should be in the mix if he has a good Super Rugby campaign.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
You haven't fixed anything Peter. You're actually hanging on to the wrong end of the stick.
Peter
Guest
Apart from the very occasional lapse like the semi-final loss to England, which has as usual drawn the snarkists from their burrows, it’s normally the ABs seeking to drag other teams UP to their level. Aren’t you glad I fixed that for you? :-)
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
It's Aussie for yarn'taz goodaz ya thinkyar. Stems from a persistent need to drag others they perceive to be superior down to their level.
What does choke mean?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
They (AB’s) might choke, AGAIN!
keith
Guest
Poor Wales facing an angry AB side set to make amends. They are going to be annihilated.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Gee I'm hoping for a Welsh win, then we'd have a really successful World Cup. Don't wo rry about Australia getting KO'd in the quarters, or England and SA making the final. Go Wales !
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Last chance for prospective All Black coaches to run their ruler over a current AB XXIII. Last weekend would've given some food for thought!
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Where was this backline last week?! :laughing: