Last updated 08:57, June 7 2018
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Jordie, Beauden and Scott Barrett will create history when they start together for the All Blacks against France in Auckland on Saturday night.
Jordie, Beauden and Scott Barrett will create history when they start together for the All Blacks against France in Auckland on Saturday night.
The waiting is over. The All Blacks selectors have swept the covers and revealed the team to play France at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night. And there are a few surprises to kick-off the three-test series.
HERE'S THE ALL BLACKS TEAM: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock (capt), Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, Ngani Laumape.
NEW CAP: Chiefs loosehead prop Karl Tu'inukuafe, having been listed on the reserves bench, is poised to earn his first test cap for the All Blacks. Given Joe Moody's campaign with the Crusaders has been seriously compromised by injuries and suspension, the pace of the game at Eden Park may start to bite in the final quarter and he could be required to exit left.
Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo has been left out of the 23-man match-day team to play France on Saturday night.
Come on down Tu'inukuafe. It will be your big moment.
RE-MODELLED BACK THREE: The surprise decision to start Jordie Barrett at fullback forces Ben Smith to the right wing and means there is no room for Waisake Naholo in the match-day 23. No-one choked on their porridge to learn Rieko Ioane had been named on the left flank. The omission of Naholo, who has been in decent form for the Highlanders lately, will create more comment.
Plonking the tall Barrett at No 15 means the All Blacks have three men capable of taking the ball in the air. Smith is a master at running full-tilt before rising for bombs, and Ioane is also capable of using his long reach to pluck the ball out of orbit prior to a counterattack.
All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock will captain his country for the first time on New Zealand soil.
BROTHERS IN ARMS: Two families make-up a third of the composition of the starting team. For the first time three men from the same family will start a test together: we're talking about Beauden, Scott and Jordie from the Barrett clan there. Then there's captain Sam Whitelock and his younger sibling Luke to add to the mix.
There must be some decent water flowing into the taps of the homesteads on the farms on the North Island's lower west coast. The Barretts hail from Taranaki, the Whitelocks originate from Manawatu.
FIFITA LOCKS IT IN: With Brodie Retallick not considered because of a chest injury, the selectors have predictably invited Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett to start in the second row.
But rather than invite Luke Romano, who was called in as an injury replacement when Retallick was wounded, to join the bench the selectors have asked Vaea Fifita to provide back-up for the locks. The athletic Fifita is a capable second rower, but is better known for his ball-running exploits with the No 6 on his back.
MCKENZIE THE UTILITY: No real surprises that Damian McKenzie has been preferred ahead of Richie Mo'unga in the reserves. McKenzie, who has made 12 test appearances, can cover first five-eighth, fullback and, at a pinch, wing.
WHAT HAPPENED TO WAISAKE? Waisake Naholo has been left out of the match-day 23, which allows Ngani Laumape to take his place in the reserve. A midfielder who can cause chaos with his powerful leg drive and upper-body strength, Laumape provides insurance if Ryan Crotty or Anton Lienert-Brown flop over.
UNLUCKY ONES: Take your pick. Jordan Taufua, Jack Goodhue, Naholo and Mo'unga can all be tossed into this category. Their time may come later in the series, possibly in the third test in Dunedin.
MOVING ON FROM CARDIFF: Six changes have been made to the side that ran out to face Wales, and beat them 33-18, in Cardiff last November. Props Kane Hames and Nepo Laulala, lock Patrick Tuipulotu and midfielder Sonny Bill Williams are injured, wing Naholo has been left out completely and McKenzie, who started fullback that day, is on the bench.
CAPTAIN ON HOME SOIL: Sam Whitelock, having recovered from concussion, will lead the side for the first time in New Zealand because Kieran Read is still recovering from surgery on his spine.