Richie Mo’unga’s late withdrawal has given Damian McKenzie the chance to start at first five eighth for the first time this season, while Beauden Barrett starts his first Test of the year at fullback.
It is an intriguing selection – one of several – and will have tongues wagging about the future of Barrett as a first five option after he was selected in the squad as an outside back.
Mo’unga's withdrawal with a calf tear presented an opportunity for Barrett to return to his favoured position, but head coach Dave Rennie and his fellow selectors have opted for Damian McKenzie to shift forward instead.
That decision is an intriguing one. McKenzie has had a lock on the fullback spot with Will Jordan preferred on the right wing and Barrett not required for test duty from the bench until the final outing of the RGR series in Baltimore.
Fans of the 145-test veteran surely would have believed this was a prime chance to see if the old dog has a few new tricks.
Clearly, selecting the uncapped Josh Jacomb was considered a step too far as a rejuvenated and dangerous Wallaby side descends on Auckland looking for a smash and grab at the All Blacks’ fortress Eden Park.
Barrett and McKenzie isn't a new combination but – interestingly – there is no specialist 10 cover on the bench, and no specialist fullback support either.
Regardless of position, this now shapes as a pivotal test match for Barrett. The All Blacks are wedded to a counterattack philosophy from kick receipt. Barrett’s experience could actually unlock scoring opportunities should the home side field enough quality ball from what will be a varied and intense aerial assault.
Whether Barrett would have featured at all in the match-day 23 if Mo’unga had been fit to play is a moot point. Having his experience on the park may well be a godsend if the Wallabies can find a way to apply consistent pressure.
Added speed and aggression in the loose
Elsewhere, the loose forward trio has been given a tune up with the impressive Peter Lakai starting at openside and Wallace Sititi picked to start at eight. It has been a slow build for Sititi this season, and he has undoubtedly been asked to lift his aggression and workrate to the heights that saw him crowned breakthrough Player of the Year.
Sititi’s carrying presence will be important against an Australian side that has learned to relish this part of the game. His opposite, Harry Wilson, has become one of the most destructive ball runners in the world.
Lakai will have his work cut out for him, attempting to win quality turnover ball and making himself available as a spare pair of hands in the backfield – in the same way that Ardie Savea did during the South African series. Lakai has earned the respect of the coaching group for his aggression and speed, and the All Blacks are showing no signs of shying away from their up-tempo style.
Tupou Vaa’i will again start on the blindside, allowing Scott Barrett to return to the All Blacks fold for the first time this season, completing the Barrett brothers’ trio. The selection of both means the All Blacks can carry two specialist loose forwards on the bench, an indication Barrett’s minutes might be limited and Vaa’i will slot into the second row at some stage in the match.
Shannon Frizell’s impressive return to NPC sees him earn his first cap back in New Zealand and Anton Segner, who has recently signed a long-term deal to stay with the All Blacks, complete the loose forward collective on the pine.
Overall, this is an All Blacks’ selection that would not quite have matched the choices made earlier in the week, but fans can rightly expect a relentless approach with ball in hand. They cannot afford to dive headfirst into their shells after the frustration of the South African series, and clearly, they will head to Eden Park hellbent on fighting fire with fire.
With the recall of a veteran cohort in the two Barretts and Shannon Frizell, expect this team to be even more aggressive in the contact than we have seen so far this season.
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