Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has correctly predicted the All Blacks trickiest selection call, with Ian Foster naming Richie Mo’unga as No.10 for their opening Bledisloe Cup Test.
The trans-Tasman rivals meet on Sunday at Wellington’s Sky Stadium for their first international since last year’s World Cup.
Mo’unga has edged Beauden Barrett for the coveted five-eighth role, but Barrett will play as fullback alongside brother Jordie Barrett in the All Blacks backline.
Foster, coaching New Zealand for the first time, has resisted the temptation to start any of the nine uncapped All Blacks in his squad.
Three youngsters could make Test debuts from the bench; lock Tupou Vaa’i, loose forward Hoskins Sotutu and winger Caleb Clarke.
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.