Lock Brodie Retallick has returned for the All Blacks in arguably their strongest side for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Ireland in Tokyo.
The three-times world champions gave squad players and those returning from injury some game time and trialled combinations against Canada and Namibia but were unable to field their top side against Italy after the match was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.
The only change to the pack that opened their campaign against South Africa with a 23-13 victory in Yokohama was the selection of Retallick after he returned on October 6 against Namibia from two months out with a dislocated shoulder.
Retallick played 30 minutes in Tokyo before being substituted to manage his playing time but was unable to get more minutes into his legs ahead of the quarter-finals when their final pool match was scrapped.
Ryan Crotty, who started the South Africa game, has been replaced by Jack Goodhue in the midfield with Anton Lienert-Brown playing inside centre.
Captain Kieran Read, who was rested for the Namibia game, returns at No.8 to lead the side in his 125th test, while the dual playmaker axis of Beauden Barrett at fullback and Richie Mo’unga at five-eighth has been reinstated.
Barrett’s younger brother Jordie made his first test start at five-eighth against Namibia and scored 21 points has been included on the bench.
Five of the forwards — Read, Retallick, Ardie Savea, hooker Codie Taylor and Sam Whitelock — have been retained from the starting line-up from their 16-9 loss against Joe Schmidt’s side last November.
Halfback Smith, Beauden Barrett, who played five-eighth, and centre Goodhue are the only survivors from the starting backline for that game, which was the first time Ireland had beaten New Zealand in Dublin.
NEW ZEALAND
Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
