Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is in-line to make his second appearance – and first against the Wallabies – after being named on the bench for Bledisloe II in Auckland.
The former NRL star, who switched codes this season, is one of a number of changes for the second Bledisloe encounter as the All Blacks look to extend their 36-year stranglehold over the Wallabies at Eden Park.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has had to call upon his wider squad, with a number of his chargers sustaining injuries during their 39-37 win over the Wallabies in Melbourne last week.
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Of note, captain Sam Cane has been ruled out (concussion) meaning Sam Whitelock takes over the leadership duties while Dalton Papali’i comes in at openside flanker.
In fact, it’s a brand new back-row combination with Akira Ioane starting at six for Scott Barrett (workload, Achilles issue) and Ardie Savea returning at No.8 after he was given last week off ahead of the birth of his child.
Elsewhere, Jordie Barrett shifts to inside centre following the injuries to David Havili (concussion) and Quinn Tupaea (MCL), which sees brother and two-time World Rugby player of the year Beauden start at fullback.
Up front, Codie Taylor starts at hooker with Samisoni Taukei’aho, who scored twice during the thrilling win last week, moving back to the bench.
Tuivasa-Sheck made his debut against Ireland during their 2-1 series loss in July.
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Foster said Jordie Barrett was preferred to the dual-international in part because of combinations.
“Combinations from last week,” Foster said, as to why he chose Barrett in the midfield. “They played three-quarters of the game.”
While the Bledisloe Cup is wrapped for a 20th season, The Rugby Championship is still wide open with the Springboks level with the All Blacks on 14 points while the Wallabies are just four points behind on 10 and Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas on nine points.
“We are determined to finish the tournament strongly and we know that Australia will throw everything at us,” Foster said.
“This is what Test match rugby is all about and we can’t wait.”
Foster said he did not want to dwell on the loss of Tupaea and Darcy Swain’s six-week ban, but said the Wallaby’s suspension was “a pretty satisfactory answer”.
Dave Rennie will name his squad on Thursday afternoon, before the Wallabies fly to Auckland later that evening.
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane; Samuel Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sevu Reece
