COVID-19-stricken All Blacks coach Ian Foster has rolled the dice at the selection table for the first Test against Ireland by naming Scott Barrett to start at blindside flanker.
Barrett led the Crusaders to the Super Rugby Pacific title playing at lock and his only previous Test start at No.6 was the ill-fated 2019 Rugby World Cup semi final loss to England.
But Foster is clearly keen to try and dominate the Irish pack with size and lineout prowess on the back of last year’s upset loss in Dublin.
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Barrett has been picked ahead of incumbent Akira Ioane, who was outplayed in the Super Rugby final, as well as other potential options in Dalton Papalii, Pita Gus Sowakula and Tupou Vaa’i.
He joins brothers Beauden (five-eighth) and Jordie (fullback) in the starting lineup.
Fiji-born Sowakula is in line for a Test debut off the bench while Crusaders standout Leicester Fainga’anuku earns his first All Blacks cap on the left wing.
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Will Jordan, David Havili and Jack Goodhue were all unavailable for selection after contracting COVID along with coaches Foster, John Plumtree and Scott McLeod.
“Whilst this week hasn’t exactly gone to plan for us, our overall preparation has gone really well,” Foster said.
“We’ve prepared rigorously for this match, albeit only having a 10 day period together.
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“We have huge respect for this Irish team and can’t wait to run out onto a packed Eden Park.”
There is no room for former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the 23, with Quinn Tupaea preferred at inside centre and Braydon Ennor included on the bench as midfield and outside back cover.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell is yet to name his Test side after his second-stringers were beaten 32-17 by the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday night.
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor, George Bower
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao, Pita Gus Sowakula, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor
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