Damian McKenzie is set to start at first-five for the All Blacks in their Nations Championship test against Scotland in Edinburgh – and almost certainly in tandem with fullback Beauden Barrett.
By Patrick McKendry of RNZ
The pair quickly rediscovered their dual playmaker partnership for the recent two-test Bledisloe Cup series against Australia following injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo'unga and that formula will likely continue as head coach Dave Rennie seeks a winning start in the northern leg of the Nations Championship against a much-improved Scotland on 8 November.
Love's ankle injury, suffered in South Africa and which will rule him out until the start of Super Rugby, opened the door for Mo'unga to start at No.10 against the Wallabies at Eden Park but the opportunity for the returning Crusader was slammed shut by a calf injury which forced his withdrawal.
Mo'unga, behind Love on the pecking order following his return from Japan but who started at No.10 in the defeat to the Springboks in Baltimore, has been included in Rennie's travelling squad of 36 for the United Kingdom which will depart Auckland on Thursday – but will not be available until the second test of the tour against Wales in Cardiff on 15 November.
"Richie won't be available for Scotland," Rennie said after naming his squad on Tuesday morning.
"He's a good chance for Wales. We made a decision that it's better to bring him in. He's a strong chance, obviously, from a World Cup perspective. I think we've done a pretty good job around [his rehabilitation].
"We took him to Sydney ... he's run really well over the last week and we'll continue to build on that when we get to Scotland."
Rennie will be eager to gauge Mo'unga's form and ability in the No.10 jersey ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia but remains spoilt for choice in that position.
McKenzie, who until recently has been seen primarily as a fullback, was as sharp as ever leading the All Blacks attack in two big victories over the Wallabies, with Barrett appearing revitalised after failing to make Rennie's first six match-day test squads this year.
"That's the luxury we have – you lose a couple and then you have someone of that quality coming in," Rennie said.
"I really like him and Beauden together. He [Barrett] spends a lot of time at first receiver sharing the load and the organisation and communication is a big part of it – especially with a midfield [in Sydney] that actually hadn't trained together.
"Damian is likely to be there against Scotland and then we'll reassess. I just like him on the field – whether it's 10 or 15."
The other big talking point is the return from injury of Leicester Fainga'anuku – as a loose forward rather than a midfielder or outside back.
Fainga'anuku, who broke a leg in a Super Rugby semifinal this year after impressing hugely in the relatively unfamiliar No.7 jersey, returned for Tasman in the NPC but almost immediately suffered a concussion.
"We're excited to get Leicester in," Rennie said.
"It's been a frustrating last few months for him... He's been running really well over the last couple of weeks. It will be great to get him in. It gives us genuine flexibility."
All Blacks' 'hybrid' player
Rennie confirmed that he saw the 27-year-old as a "hybrid" player who can play in the forwards or backs and could provide huge value as an impact player. Given Fainga'anuku's lack of recent game time, however, he is more likely to play against Wales than Scotland.
"He's shown in Super Rugby that he can do the job really well. The challenge for him is to get his head around all the detail and maybe No.7 is not quite as challenging because the lineout options and other things are simpler.
"You could name a 5-3 [split] bench but it's genuinely a 6-2. He can definitely make an impact in all those spots."
Loose forward Christian Lio-Willie has been preferred ahead of Semisi Talei'aloa, with Jamie Hannah getting the nod at lock ahead of Sam Darry. Wing Chay Fihaki, one of three All Blacks, including hooker George Bell, who played for Canterbury in Monday's NPC final, has been preferred ahead of Emoni Narawa.
The All Blacks play Scotland, Wales and England before a playoff at Twickenham against a Northern team which will be decided depending on their place on the Southern table.
New Zealand began with a perfect 3-0 start against France, Italy and Ireland at home in July. Rivals South Africa are similarly unbeaten but have a points differential advantage of +31.
However, the 'Boks have what could be described as a tougher tour next month: tests against Ireland in Dublin and France in Paris, as well as a match against Italy in Rome.
Asked about his approach to the inaugural competition, Rennie said: "You know there's a prize at the end of it but it's a weekly process. We can't necessarily influence what's happening for instance with South Africa. This is just about us getting better.
"Scotland are a high-quality side that we've got first up. They're very experienced and they play a really good brand of footy - probably a little bit different to other sides up there. We're well aware of the threat they pose.
"You get to the last weekend I guess and everyone will know what they need to do."
Rennie said the players were told of their inclusion in the squad before Monday's NPC final in Christchurch, and that he was relieved Fihaki, Bell and Hannah came through unscathed.
The All Blacks have been hit hard by injuries this year, including to skipper Ardie Savea. Rennie said the six calf injuries had prompted a review of training loads.
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