Three rookies for experienced ABs
New All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has gone for experience, as well as introducing three new caps, to the team to play Ireland at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.
There are only seven survivors from the side that started last year's World Cup Final.
Injuries, retirements and poor form have forced new coach Steve Hansen to vastly remodel the side that scraped home victorious by 8-7 against France in their last Test eight months ago.
The selection of new caps Brodie Retallick, Julian Savea and Aaron Smith are the key features of the squad.
Retallick will become the second youngest lock in All Blacks history, just two days older than lock Mark Cooksley who was 21 years seven days old when he made his debut back in 1992.
In the forwards, the All Blacks have the experienced front row of Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks, while new cap Retallick will join Sam Whitelock in the second row.
Victor Vito has taken over the No.6 jersey, captain Richie McCaw is at openside flank and Kieran Read at No.8.
In the backs, scrumhalf and new cap Aaron Smith will have Daniel Carter outside him, while Sonny Bill Williams and Conrad Smith will form a partnership in the centres.
Zac Guildford – a late addition to Hansen's pre-selection training squad following injuries to Cory Jane and Richard Kahui – and new cap Julian Savea are the wings, with Israel Dagg at fullback.
Coach Hansen congratulated the three new caps on their selection in the starting XV.
"We picked them in the three-Test series squad because they have all shown that they have special qualities which they now get the opportunity to show on the international stage," said Hansen.
Hansen added there had been real excitement in the camp this week, saying: "The build-up so far this week has been good. With such a short preparation time, we have focused on keeping things simple and bringing the team together.
"We have been concentrating on making sure we have clarity early in the week, increasing intensity and accuracy as the week goes on, which should allow us to put in a performance that we can be proud of on Saturday.
"It's shaping up to be another fantastic occasion at Eden Park. And we're really hoping it's a sell-out with a blacked-out and vocal crowd. The All Blacks love playing at the ground and the team certainly appreciates the support."
Hansen's All Blacks will take the field against Ireland with a combined total of 527 caps, well down on the 724 amassed by the team Graham Henry fielded against France, if all goes well over the next few days.
But despite being down on experience and only having the team together for a limited time, Hansen declared on Thursday to be satisfied with the build up.
The World Cup survivors are Israel Dagg, Conrad Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Whitelock, Franks and Woodcock.
Keven Mealamu, Jane and Kahui were not considered because of injury, Brad Thorn has gone overseas and the injured Jerome Kaino is soon to join him.
Aaron Cruden and Weepu, who started in the World Cup Final, are on the bench for Saturday.
* Meanwhile, Daniel Carter will set another record in his stellar career – becoming the most capped All Blacks flyhalf in history.
He will play his 71st Test (of his 86 Tests overall) in the No.q0 position on Saturday, with all his other Test appearances coming in other backline spots.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Date: Saturday, June 9
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
