Scott Barrett has recovered from injury and will start for the All Blacks in their Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Crusaders lock missed the All Blacks’ first two Rugby Championship Tests with a thumb injury, but has since been passed fit to play. He comes in for Brodie Retallick, who has been ruled out of the match after suffering a dislocated shoulder against the Springboks.
The starting lineup shows five other changes as Dane Coles comes in as the starting hooker with Codie Taylor dropping to the bench. Ardie Savea and Sam Cane are both in the loose trio, with Savea making his first Test start in the No 6 jersey.
There are just two changes to the backline as Steve Hansen has stuck with Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett at flyhalf and fullback, respectively, a combination that had mixed results in the draw with the Boks.
Aaron Smith starts at scrumhalf, switching with TJ Perenara who drops to the bench, while Anton Lienert-Brown will make his fourth start at No 12 in place of Sonny Bill Williams.
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 George Bridge.
Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
