New coach Scott Robertson has named a starting side containing a couple of talking points but bereft of debutants for the All Blacks’ first outing of the year against England on Saturday in Dunedin.
Lineups for the season’s first test are traditionally conservative, and Robertson and co. have stuck with the tried and true to negotiate Steve Borthwick’s side- who should not be taken lightly.
Former St Kent’s star Dalton Papali’i has fought off competition from Chiefs captain Luke Jacobsen and Crusader Ethan Blackadder to claim the openside flanker role.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipolotu appears to have fully recovered from his knee issues and takes his place at lock with Scott Barrett, with Tupou Vaa’i providing backup.
The front row has a familiar look, but Crusader Fletcher Newell could perhaps count himself unlucky not to start after a stellar campaign in a losing cause. The imposing Tamaiti Williams, also formerly of St Kents, missed selection but is part of the wider squad.
The long-term search for a physical like-for-like replacement for Jerome Kaino on the blind side has been a selection sticking point for the past year after the departure of Shannon Frizzell. Chiefs bruiser Semipeni Finau now appears to be the anointed one.
Copyright photo: Fotosport / Andrew Cornaga
Locally-developed halfback Finlay Christie will ride the pine after veteran TJ Perenara was recalled to form an axis with Damian McKenzie after the selectors ignored the case of his uncapped Chiefs partner Cortez Ratima.
With four quality wings available in the squad, someone would be disappointed and Caleb Clarke was unfortunate to miss out after a powerful season.
Blues fullback Steven Perofeta didn’t set the world on fire after returning from injury at the end of the championship-winning campaign.
However, he impressed outside back selector Leon MacDonald enough to be handed the 15 jersey ahead of the returning Beauden Barrett who will be utilised off the bench to cover fullback and flyhalf.
The starting side with test caps in brackets:
1. Ethan de Groot (22)
2. Codie Taylor (85)
3. Tyrel Lomax (32)
4. Scott Barrett (69) (Captain)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (43)
6. Samipeni Finau (1)
8. Ardie Savea (81) (Vice Captain)
9. TJ Perenara (80)
10. Damian McKenzie (47)
11. Mark Tele’a (9)
12. Jordie Barrett (57) (Vice Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (67)
14. Sevu Reece (23)
15. Stephen Perofeta (3)
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua (6)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (57)
18. Fletcher Newell (13)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (25)
20. Luke Jacobson (18)
21. Finlay Christie (21)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (70)
23. Beauden Barrett (123)
