Star All Blacks five-eighth Beauden Barrett will sit out Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia due to concussion issues, opening the door for Lima Sopoaga to make just his second Test start.
Barrett suffered a head knock in the world champions’ last-up win over South Africa and is still feeling the effects, despite passing concussion tests.
Coach Steve Hansen has taken a conservative approach with Barrett and sidelined the Hurricanes ace, calling up Sopoaga in his place.
Sopoaga has made just one Test start – against the Springboks in 2015 – but made several solid bench cameos in the Rugby Championship.
He was set to start in the All Blacks’ Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, only to pull out of the squad due to the imminent birth of his daughter.
Damian McKenzie will provide cover from fullback.
Elsewhere, Hansen has stuck with his team for the dead rubber in Brisbane, deciding against giving any senior All Blacks a rest.
Openside flanker Sam Cane will earn his 50th Test cap, while the likes of Sam Whitelock, Dane Coles, Aaron Smith and Kieran Read will all play.
Brodie Retallick remains out due to personal reasons.
At blindside, Liam Squire has earned the nod ahead of veteran Jerome Kaino, who was expected to play a part in Brisbane after a long All Blacks absence.
Kaino will watch on from the stands.
Fijian-born flyer Waisake Naholo, meanwhile, slots in on the right wing for the injured Nehe Milner-Skudder, who dislocated his shoulder against the Springboks.
On the bench, TJ Perenara comes in for Tawera Kerr-Barlow as Smith’s halfback cover and specialist No.7 Matt Todd gets the nod ahead of Ardie Savea.
Anton Lienert-Brown and David Havili will also start from the pine.
Hansen said he expected a desperate Australian side, who have lost their 15th straight Bledisloe Cup match and not defeated the All Blacks for over two years.
His All Blacks side still had plenty to improve on.
“For us, our goal is to never be satisfied at where we’re at, and that means it’s greater than just the (match) outcome,” Hansen said.
“We’re always striving to get better, every game.
“It’ll be another great opportunity for this young team to show what they’ve learnt throughout the year and playing at Suncorp Stadium will be another fantastic learning experience for them – it’s a great ground with a lot of tradition.”
ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Kane Hames. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili.
