All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown says he's excited at the thought of combining with Ngani Laumape, with the pair named to start in midfield against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.
Lienert-Brown, 22, and Laumape, 24, will line up alongside one another for the first time in the black jersey, in a pairing reminiscent of the All Blacks' most prolific centre pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Speaking to media ahead of the match, Lienert-Brown made it clear he was relishing the prospect of playing next to Laumape.
"Obviously we've worked a lot during the year - not on the field but off the field," he said.
"I'm excited to see him get his opportunity at 12."
Lienert-Brown also didn't spare any superlatives when describing the presence of his new midfield partner.
"He's a beast, a wrecking ball - I'm looking forward to running outside him."
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