Quinn Tupaea has retained his place in the No.13 jersey in what is perhaps the most significant selection of the All Blacks' match-day squad for the Test against Chicago on Sunday morning NZT.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named a relatively predictable squad for the Test, with Beauden Barrett returning from a shoulder injury to start at No.10, with the biggest question mark always over who would start at centre - Tupaea, Billy Proctor, or a return for Rieko Ioane.
Tupaea's retention is a huge vote of confidence after a stand-out performance against the Wallabies in Perth in the All Blacks' last Test.
Tupaea, who scored two tries and formed an outstanding combination with second-five Jordie Barrett, is not a regular centre and has hardly trained there for the All Blacks but he took to it like a natural.
He was replaced by Rieko Ioane for the final quarter of the Bledisloe Cup win early this month but clearly did enough to convince Robertson that he is the man to fill what has been a problematic position for the All Blacks in what is likely to be one of the toughest matches of the tour.
Proctor was given the role for the first half of the year but has struggled at times with his defensive reads and penetration on attack, while Ioane is seen as more of a wing by the selectors now, notwithstanding his cameo at centre in the last Test.
Neither Proctor nor Ioane made the match-day 23.
Beauden Barrett replaces Damian McKenzie as the All Blacks' chief playmaker, with the latter dropping to the bench.
Ethan de Groot returns from concussion to start at loosehead prop, with Caleb Clarke back on the left wing after recovering from an ankle injury.
De Groot starts ahead of Tamaiti Williams and Clarke ahead of Leicester Fainga'anuku - both Williams and Fainga'anuku have been named on the reserves bench.
Josh Lord comes on to the bench in place of Patrick Tuipulotu, the big lock unable to tour due to a shoulder problem.
Significantly, too, No.8 Peter Lakai retains his place at the back of the scrum after a solid performance against the Wallabies - keeping Wallace Sititi on the bench.
In a statement, Robertson said: “This is an awesome match to kick off our Northern Tour with. Ireland are a strong side and will have a loud contingent of supporters here in Chicago, so we are prepared for a passionate clash on the Soldier Field stage.
"We have had a great week together leading up to the Test and now we are looking forward to the contest on Saturday afternoon.”
The All Blacks and Ireland have won five Tests each since the Irish broke their drought against New Zealand in Chicago in 2016. The All Blacks have won the last two Tests between the nations, the last in Dublin last November.
The match, to kick off at 9.10am on Sunday NZT, is reportedly a sellout.
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)
1. Ethan de Groot (37), 2. Codie Taylor (103), 3. Fletcher Newell (31), 4. Scott Barrett (86) (Captain), 5. Fabian Holland (9), 6. Simon Parker (5), 7. Ardie Savea (103) (Vice-Captain), 8. Peter Lakai (5), 9. Cam Roigard (14), 10. Beauden Barrett (141) , 11. Caleb Clarke (30), 12. Jordie Barrett (77) (Vice-Captain) , 13. Quinn Tupaea (21), 14. Leroy Carter (3), 15. Will Jordan (50).
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (39), 17. Tamaiti Williams (23), 18. Pasilio Tosi (12), 19. Josh Lord (8), 20. Wallace Sititi (15), 21. Cortez Ratima (18), 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku (8), 23. Damian McKenzie (70)
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