The All Blacks have sprung a major surprise by thrusting Tom Taylor into a debut start at five-eighth for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington.
Crusaders utility Taylor will continue a proud family tradition when he takes the playmaker role against Australia on Saturday, named ahead of 10-Test veteran Colin Slade.
There are two starting changes from the New Zealand side who won the first Test 47-29 in Sydney on Saturday and five differences on the reserve bench.
As expected, Brodie Retallick starts lock in place of the injured Luke Romano. Jeremy Thrush comes onto the bench, where he will sit alongside Slade.
Two veteran forwards will raise milestones.
Prop Tony Woodcock plays his 100th Test while captain Richie McCaw’s 31st appearance against the Wallabies is a world record for the most Tests by one player against a country.
However, it is the promotion of 24-year-old Taylor that will raise most eyebrows, benefiting from injuries picked up by Aaron Cruden and reserve pivot Beauden Barrett in Sydney.
The top three All Blacks No.10s are sidelined, with Dan Carter ruled out with a calf injury earlier last week.
Slade, who is the halves partner of All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith at the Highlanders, was expected to end a two-year Test drought from the opening whistle.
However, Hansen has favoured Taylor, the son of former All Blacks inside centre Warwick Taylor, who played 24 Tests from 1983-88 and was a rock in the midfield of the inaugural World Cup winning side of 1987.
Warwick Taylor’s brother, Murray, was also an All Black from 1976-80, playing seven Tests at five-eighth.
Tom Taylor didn’t wear No.10 for the Crusaders in this year’s Super Rugby campaign, instead employed at inside centre, fullback and wing. He played 13 games after missing five early rounds with a knee injury and enhanced his reputation as an accurate goalkicker.
Taylor’s only previous All Blacks connection was two appearances at wider squad camps this year and an injury cover callup for the final week of last year’s tour of Europe, where he didn’t play but impressed coach Steve Hansen.
“He is mentally tough and plays the game with a lot of confidence and maturity,” Hansen said in a statement.
“These factors, along with his assured goalkicking under pressure, has made this an easy selection.
“We have every faith that he will handle the occasion with aplomb.”
Alongside Slade and Thrush on the bench are Charles Piutau, recalled as outside back cover in place of Ryan Crotty, hooker Dane Coles for Keven Mealamu and prop Wyatt Crockett for Ben Franks.
Coles, who had to prove his fitness in a provincial match last week, and Crockett, who returns earlier than expected from a knee injury, were first-choice front-rowers in the June series against France.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Tom Taylor, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Steven Luatua, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Colin Slade, Charles Piutau
