Beauden starts as All Blacks bring in six uncapped players for Fiji
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand made 11 changes to the team to face Fiji in San Diego, with Beauden Barrett starting at fullback, a debut for centre Billy Proctor and five uncapped players on the bench.
Proctor, who plays for the Hurricanes, lines up with the experienced Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield for the game in California.
Playmaker Barrett is restored after hugely influential performances coming off the bench in both Test wins against England.
The two-time World Player of the Year sparked the All Blacks comeback in Auckland on Saturday after they had trailed 13-17 in the second half.
Scrumhalf Cortez Ratima gets his first start after debuting off the bench in the 24-17 win at Eden Park that gave New Zealand a 2-0 series sweep against England.
Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi, Blues lock Sam Darry, Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi and Crusaders pair of scrumhalf Noah Hotham and hooker George Bell could all make debuts from the bench.
“They’ve earned their opportunity, they’ve prepared well and they are ready for Test match rugby,” said coach Scott Robertson.
“We have a lot of respect for Fiji, who will be fast and physical, and we’re looking forward to the contest.
“It’s been a superb week in San Diego. Our leaders have fed off the younger players’ energy and our focus is now on performing.”
Captain Scott Barrett is one of only four Eden Park starting players to keep their place.
The others are No.8 Ardie Savea, wing Sevu Reece and flyhalf Damian McKenzie, who will play his 50th Test.
Darry and Hotham were not part of Robertson’s initial squad of 32 but joined as replacements for Patrick Tuipulotu and TJ Perenara.
Tuipulotu did not travel to the United States because Robertson deemed the veteran lock needed to “freshen up” following the tense England series.
Perenara injured his knee in the 16-15 first Test win against England in Dunedin.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Ethan De Groot, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Jordie Barrett, 23 Emoni Narawa.
Date: Friday, July 19
Venue: Aztec Stadium, San Diego
Kick-off: 19.30 (02.30 GMT Saturday, July 20; 14.30 NZST Saturday, July 20)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Luke Rogan (USA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
