All Blacks change one
All Black coach Steve Hansen has opted for continuity as his team aim to retain the Bledisloe Cup on home soil this weekend.
Hansen has made just one injury-enforced change from last week's starting XV, with Wyatt Crockett replacing the injured Tony Woodcock at loosehead prop.
Crockett, 29, gets a rare outing in the All Blacks No.1 jersey after 87-Test loosehead specialist Woodcock was sidelined by a rib injury suffered last week.
The six-Test Crockett's last outing, again when Woodcock was injured, was when the All Blacks beat Australia 30-14 in a Tri-Nations Test in Auckland a year ago.
He was culled from the World Cup squad and although brought back for the Ireland series in June he never took the field because Woodcock started all three tests.
The days of the World Cup champions rotating players appear over under Hansen, who has made clear he wants to remain loyal to his first XV in the second Test at Eden Park.
"It just gives us an opportunity to get some miles under the belt as combinations and as a team," he said of the All Blacks who beat the Wallabies 27-19 in the opening Rugby Championship encounter in Sydney last weekend.
The policy, a change from the days of former head coach Graham Henry, means Hansen turning down the chance to blood a new midfield combination and Sonny Bill Williams starting what could be his final Test for the All Blacks.
Williams was retained by the All Blacks for two Tests against the Wallabies to cover for the injured Conrad Smith, and will then leave for a short-term contract in Japan before returning to the rival Rugby League code in Australia.
The All Blacks have played Australia 144 times since 1903, and have a record of 98 wins, five draws and 41 losses.
Hansen said his charges expect to face a spirited Wallaby side with the Bledisloe Cup hanging in the balance after the All Blacks’ 27-19 in Sydney last weekend.
"We are expecting that Australia will take a step up in their intensity after last weekend's loss and we will have to be ready for that challenge," said Hansen
The All Black mentor added that they are looking forward to returning to their fortress Eden Park, the venue where they clinched the Webb Ellis Cup last year.
"Playing in front of our home crowd is always exciting for the All Blacks. The fans are important to us and getting the opportunity to play a home Test is one we cherish," said Hansen.
* Prop Charlie Faumuina, utility back Tamati Ellison and loose forward Adam Thomson have been made available to their respective provinces for this week's opening round of the ITM Cup.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14Cory Jane, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 (07.35 GMT; 09.35 SA time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
