Naholo, Goodhue get starts
Waisake Naholo and Jack Goodhue have won the nods in the All Blacks’ two contentious positions for the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney on Saturday.
And, as expected, experienced Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock has also been selected to start against the Wallabies which will see him earn his 100th cap.
Naholo won a tight race with rising young utility back Jordie Barrett for the third back-three spot, with the Highlanders flyer slotting in on the right wing to form a powerful unit alongside Rieko Ioane and the classy Ben Smith.
The All Blacks coaches were seriously considering playing Barrett alongside Smith and Ioane but might have gone cold on the idea of playing the youngster on the wing where he has little experience.
Their preference for this test is to leave Smith where he undoubtedly plays his best test-match football, at fullback where he clearly thrives on the freedom, decision-making and activity of the backfield position.
For Naholo it will be just his 20th test for the All Blacks in a career that stretches back to 2015. But it might be one of his most important, with a real chance to cement himself in the preferred back-three. This will be his 13th start in the No 14 jersey.
There have been some questions raised over Naholo’s defence, but he is an outstanding ball-carrier, has lightning speed, is solid under the high ball and has become increasingly adept over the ball at the breakdown.
Goodhue has been named at centre alongside experienced Crusaders team-mate Ryan Crotty in the only other really contestable starting spot.
The 23-year-old made his test debut against France in Dunedin, but was brilliant for the Crusaders en route to their second straight Super Rugby title.
‘‘He’s a young man just getting better and better,’’ said All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster. ‘‘He came through a Super season in which he was used extremely physically in the first part, and then as it went on he was able play a little bit wider and more like how we’d expect a centre to play. He’s got the ability to do both.’’
Goodhue held off a challenge from Anton Lienert-Brown for the No 13 berth, with the Chiefs midfielder covering the outside back spots off the bench.
The rest of the lineup is as widely predicted, with Beauden Barrett holding off the challenge of in-form Crusader Richie Mo’unga for the No 10 jersey.