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Beauden Barrett will start in 100th Test against an understrength Wales on Sunday (AEDT), gaining selection at No.10.
Wales are missing most of their usual starting team due to the game falling outside the international window.
The All Blacks have shown little mercy at the selection table going for a full strength line up.
“It’s a very special time for Beauden and his family and it’s also a special time for this team and its legacy,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
(Photo by Getty Images)
“He’s a big part of this team, he’s a key leader, he’s captained the All Blacks, he’s vice captain on this tour and he’s an influencer on and off the park. I can’t speak more highly about his contribution as a person to the black jersey. The chance to play his 100th Test at this stadium against Wales is really special.”
Foster has picked an experienced front row of props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala and hooker Codie Taylor with Brodie Retallick and Samuel Whitelock at lock.
Ethan Blackadder gets the nod at blindside flanker in his fourth Test start, Dalton Papalii is at seven, while Ardie Savea returns in the No.8 jersey.
Halfback TJ Perenara returns at No.9 to replace Finlay Christie alongside Beauden Barrett, with David Havili at 12 and centre Anton Lienert-Brown at No.13.
Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan are on the wings and Jordie Barrett is at fullback.
The back reserves are halfback Brad Weber, first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga and winger Sevu Reece.
Foster said in a statement: “It’s exciting to be back here in the North, albeit in very different circumstances. The All Blacks have always loved touring North, these Test matches are a big part of our history as a rugby team and it’s been three years since we played in Europe, so there’s a real sense of excitement. What a better place to start than at a packed-out stadium here in Cardiff.
“The Welsh will play with their traditional passion and their fans singing in the Stadium, and they’ll throw everything at us. They are Six Nations champions and a very good team. They have a group of young players coming through who’ll be excited to play so we will have to be ready, and we are.
“We have a short-term focus because the length of the tour is so unique to us. Clearly, there have been a lot of obstacles we’ve had to go through – and will go through – but I’m incredibly proud of how the team has responded to the challenges.
“But we are focussed on what each week holds and putting all our energy into that. Ultimately, we will be judged on our perfomance on Saturday and that’s what we love. We have got to be clear when we play and go out and do what we do, and we’re certainly ready to do that.
All Blacks squad to play Wales on Sunday at 3.15am AEDT
1. Joe Moody (54)
2. Codie Taylor (64)
3. Nepo Laulala (37)
4. Brodie Retallick (89)
5. Samuel Whitelock (128) – captain
6. Ethan Blackadder (7)
7. Dalton Papalii (10)
8. Ardie Savea (56)
9. TJ Perenara (76)
10. Beauden Barrett (99)
11. Rieko Ioane (44)
12. David Havili (11)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (54)
14. Will Jordan (10)
15. Jordie Barrett (32)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (7)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (23)
18. Tyrel Lomax (11)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (8)
20. Akira Ioane (10)
21. Brad Weber (14)
22. Richie Mo’unga (28)
23. Sevu Reece (14)
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