All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is confident Aaron Cruden is ready to do the job against England despite limited game time.
Cruden has been handed the starting five eighth role jersey ahead of the in-form Beauden Barrett for the first Test in Auckland on Saturday night.
The Chiefs co-captain returned to Super Rugby two rounds ago after six weeks out with a broken thumb.
Hansen says factors in Cruden’s favour include his status as the incumbent and the feeling that he plays better as a starter than coming off the bench.
“He’s had a couple of games under his belt and he’s back to his cheeky self around here, so we just think he’s ready to go,” he said.
“He’s a good reader of the game, he’s a good organiser and I believe he’s really comfortable now in that role.”
Hansen said team selection was pretty much in place a week ago, with injuries to No.8 Kieran Read, back up openside flanker Sam Cane and winger Julian Savea causing changes.
Read’s replacement is Jerome Kaino, who will make his return to the All Blacks after two seasons in Japan.
When Kaino runs out at Eden Park, he will make his 49th Test appearance, and his first since the World Cup final victory against France at the same ground in October 2011.
The 31-year-old has been in excellent form for the Blues, as exemplified by his huge effort in the win over the Hurricanes last weekend.
Hansen said he didn’t want Kaino to leave New Zealand in the first place but the player told him at the time that he intended coming back.
“He’s come back at the right time, which is great,” Hansen said.
“I think he’s like a caged animal. He’s pretty keen to get out there.”
Savea’s unavailability because of a knee problem means fellow Hurricane Cory Jane takes over the No.11 jersey, with Ben Smith on the other flank.
Hansen described Savea and Jane as players who enhanced the All Blacks game in their own way.
“Julian is a beast and Cory is your whippet – good on his feet and a great finisher,” he said.
“There will be differences, but they will be subtle.”
The All Blacks’ match-day 23 contains plenty of experience, with a total of 968 caps.
But a feature of the reserves is three uncapped players in halfback TJ Perenara, midfielder Malakai Fekitoa and lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
Perenara, chosen ahead of 14-Test Tawera Kerr-Barlow as back-up to Aaron Smith, has sat on the All Blacks bench before.
For Fekitoa, 22, and Tuipulotu, 21, their elevation comes after strong performances as Super Rugby rookies for the Highlanders and the Blues respectively.
“It’s a form thing – both have been in outstanding form,” Hansen said.
NEW ZEALAND: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Cory Jane, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa.
