Scott Robertson has named his first ever team as All Blacks head coach as they prepare to face England in Dunedin on Saturday.
The 23-man side has a nice balance to it but there are some surprises, starting at full-back where Beauden Barrett has been dropped to the bench.
Barrett, who was key in their run to the Rugby World Cup final in 2023, has spent the season in Japan and Robertson has duly rewarded Stephen Perofeta’s Super Rugby Pacific form for the Blues.
Perofeta starts in the back three alongside club team-mate Mark Tele’a and the Crusaders flyer Sevu Reece, who has excelled despite the Christchurch outfit’s poor form.
“His Super form was incredible, on both sides of the ball,” Robertson said of Reece. “His efforts and his consistency, he’s a test footballer. We are really pleased to have him back, obviously with [Mark] Telea, they have played a bit of test footy.
“They are dangerous, they cover the back field well and they defend well. It’s a good combination.”
Familiarity and freshness at half-back
At centre, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane unsurprisingly combine while at half-back there is both familiarity and a sense of freshness for the All Blacks.
With Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga in Japan, Robertson has decided on TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie as the new duo. Both are experienced campaigners but neither of them have been regular starters in the past.
However, now is their chance in this new era to prove that they can direct an All Blacks team around the field from the get go.
“He (Perenara) picked himself for a bit,” the head coach said.
“He’s on form, he’s a competitor. He’s 80 Test matches in, he’s played a lot, been around. He’s owned a lot of this week, and what’s required. He’s a Test match footballer.”
Up front, there was a big decision to make in the back five and Robertson has opted for Samipeni Finau at blindside, who joins Dalton Papali’i and Ardie Savea in the loose trio.
Scott Barrett captains the side from lock and he is partnered by Patrick Tuipulotu, with Tupou Vaa’i on the bench.
Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax round off an exciting squad by once again combining in the front-row.
There are no new caps in the squad but it is a big game for Asafo Aumua, who will look to nail down his spot in the 23.
Aumua is joined on the bench by Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, Anton Lienert-Brown and Barrett.
“This was a very tough squad to pick, but we’ve selected the best 23 players to beat England on Saturday,” Robertson said.
“There is a lot of excitement in the group for our first Test and we’re walking together toward this opportunity to represent New Zealand and our families in Dunedin in front of a sold out stadium. We’ve prepared well and we’re ready.”
All Blacks team to face England
New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett
Date: Saturday, July 6
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)