Rookie centre Malakai Fekitoa will start for the All Blacks against the Wallabies in Sydney on saturday, with veteran centre Conrad Smith opting to remain in Wellington for the birth of his first child.
Smith was rated a slim chance for the first Bledisloe Cup Test after flying home on Friday, but All Blacks management confirmed on Saturday that he will stay with wife Lee-Ann for the unexpectedly early birth.
Coach Steve Hansen said the baby had been expected in a couple of weeks’ time.
“It looks like she’s going to come a little bit early … she started showing signs last night,” he told reporters on Friday.
Hansen said Smith, a 77-Test veteran, could possibly return across the Tasman in time to play in Saturday night’s Test if everything went well: “But we’re not holding our breath on that.”
Fekitoa, who made his debut against England in June, will start against Australia while Crusaders’ midfield back Ryan Crotty takes his place on the bench after being summoned from New Zealand.