At a glance
Damian McKenzie is back.
The diminutive Chief will start at fullback for New Zealand against Australia in Yokohama tomorrow, in what will be his first appearance since the team’s 36-24 loss to South Africa in September.
McKenzie was heavily involved in the finale of that match, lining up for a dropkick at one point – which was eventually declined – before being dispossessed by Springboks wing Aphiwe Dyantyi on the final play of the match.
The utility back’s inclusion at 15 sees Ben Smith shift to the right wing and the unlucky Waisake Naholo drop out of the 23 altogether.
Elsewhere, TJ Perenara gets a deserved start at halfback, while flanker Liam Squire is back from a shoulder injury, along with prop Joe Moody. Lock Brodie Retallick returns from injury on the bench, while hooker Dane Coles can’t even crack that with Nathan Harris retained as Codie Taylor’s backup.
With Jack Goodhue still recovering from glandular fever, Ryan Crotty will again partner Sonny Bill Williams in midfield, for what will be the latter’s 50th All Blacks appearance.
‘‘We’ll be up against a good Australian team and they’ll be desperate to win, but so are we,’’ All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said, in a statement.
‘‘We know that they’ll come with a lot of passion and physicality, but our focus this week has been about us and what we want to bring – intensity, skill and a triple-threat game. What: All Blacks team to meet Australia in Yokohama
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody: Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Matt Todd Todd, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
‘‘Being well prepared, clear in our roles and excited about the opportunity in playing this oneoff test against Australia in Japan, will be a good start in achieving a quality performance.’’
Elsewhere in the 23, tighthead prop Nepo Laulala comes onto the
bench after missing most of the year through injury, while flanker Matt Todd is also in the reserves after joining the All Blacks from Japanese team Panasonic.
‘‘It’s great to have Joe, Nepo, Liam and Brodie, as well as Matt Todd, back,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘As well as being world-class rugby players, they also add a lot of experience to the team, both on and off the track. We look forward to seeing them play again.’’
The All Blacks lost last year’s third Bledisloe Cup to Australia, on a night when Lima Sopoaga started at first five-eighth and there was a general untidiness about everything the team did. They’ll need to be more accurate this time around, which makes the fullback decision an intriguing one.
McKenzie’s selection suggests New Zealand plan on an expansive approach. By his very nature, McKenzie is optimistic and audacious and, on his day, can conjure points from nothing.
But that comes with risk and the potential for howlers, too.
Ben Smith remains the team’s best and most effective 15, combining solidity with vision and an ability to read play expertly. At some point you assume Smith will be left to prosper at fullback but, in the meantime, Hansen remains eager to explore what sort of game-breaking ability McKenzie and Beauden and Jordie Barrett can exhibit there.
It’s all a bit of a shame for Naholo, who hasn’t done a lot wrong this year.