The Barrett brothers have been reunited in the All Blacks starting lineup for the third Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday.
Beauden Barrett will wear No.10 in place of Richie Mo’unga while Scott Barrett comes in for captain Sam Whitelock in the second row and Jordie Barrett replaces Damian McKenzie at fullback.
Brad Weber has edged out TJ Perenara at halfback as New Zealand ring the changes in search of a Bledisloe clean sweep.
Watch every match of the Bledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship with live, ad-free and on-demand coverage on Stan Sport
All Blacks coach Ian Foster is without three senior players – Mo’unga, Whitelock and Aaron Smith – who are all in New Zealand to attend the births of their children.
“Brad has been with us through the Steinlager series and coming into the Rugby Championship we really wanted to build the nine combination, especially with Aaron not here and to complement TJ’s leadership and experience,” Foster said.
“So this is a great opportunity to put our faith in Brad to start the Test.”
READ MORE: Wallabies coach springs surprise on All Blacks
READ MORE: Wallabies legend calls for old school All Blacks ‘hate’
READ MORE: Teammate’s emotional tribute for ‘protector’ Kefu
Ardie Savea will captain an All Blacks side that also welcomes back Anton Lienert-Brown at outside centre, a move which sees Rieko Ioane shift out to the left wing.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu is unavailable with a tight groin, giving Tupou Vaa’i an opportunity from the bench.
Loose forward Ethan Blackadder – son of former Test captain Todd – is also listed among the reserves.
“We are ready, and the team is really determined to finish off this block of Tests against Australia with a top performance,” Foster said.
“We’ve had a really unique situation going into this Test, with quarantine back in New Zealand and a ‘soft’ quarantine here in Perth, but the work that has gone in preparing the players has been outstanding, so when the whistle goes on Sunday, we’ll be ready.
“In the forwards, we have picked a group that is most recently battle hardened.
“A lot of them played in the first two Bledisloe Cup Tests, so it’s right to go with them in this Rugby Championship Test.
“Perth has a great rugby culture and we know that there are a lot of Kiwis living here who will be at the game, so can’t wait to hear their support on Sunday.
“COVID has again forced so many changes this year and we especially think of cities like Dunedin and Wellington that have lost Test matches they had hoped and planned for, so it’s great to be able to celebrate having this Test match here in Perth.”
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Brad Weber, Ardie Savea (c), Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao, Tupou Vaa’i, Ethan Blackadder, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, George Bridge