All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has recalled Beauden Barrett to his starting side for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.
Barrett has been in and out of the run-on team in Robertson’s first year at the helm but will don the No.15 jersey against the Wallabies.
The veteran’s return sees Will Jordan revert to the right wing while Caleb Clarke gets a start on the left flank after recovering from a back injury.
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Sevu Reece has been demoted to the bench while fellow winger Mark Tele’a drops out of the 23 entirely following back-to-back losses in South Africa.
“When Caleb came back, we felt it was the best mix, the best balance for us to put Beauden at fullback and Will on the wing,” Robertson said at New Zealand’s Double Bay hotel on Thursday.
“He’s (Jordan) played some great Test footy on the wing. Just because he’s starting on the wing doesn’t mean he can’t finish at fullback.”
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Elsewhere, Ethan de Groot returns from his neck injury to start at loosehead prop in place of Tamaiti Williams.
And Fletcher Newell’s calf injury gives giant Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi an opportunity to play his second Test from the bench.
“We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season,” Robertson said.
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“The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals.
“We have acknowledged the rich history of the cup this week as a team and recognise that history does not bestow any rights.
“The Bledisloe Cup is always hard earned and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story.”
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (c), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)