This morning the All Blacks side was named to face off against Japan on Saturday afternoon NZT with as usual a couple of fresh faces and debutants included in the line up.
Dominic Bird and Frank Halai are given their All Black debuts in the starting lineup, with Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen bolting onto the bench with the injury to Joe Moody ruling him out for the entire Northern Tour.
It should not be a huge shock to All Black fans to see Dominic Bird in the starting lineup, it simply comes a bit later in the year after a chest injury ruled him out of the June test matches against the French.
The biggest surprise is seeing Richie McCaw suit up at number 8, although its not a total unknown position to Captain Fantastic, it will certainly bring a different dynamic to the forwards and is most likely done to give Sam Cane another opportunity to start in the number seven jersey.
Dan Carter returns to the lineup after a season plagued with injury and will be looking to get through the game unscathed and injury free.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow gets his first test match start of the season and will be wanting to put out a strong performance, his off the bench cammo appearances games this year have been largely lacklustre and with Tj Perenara breathing down his heels he will need to make the most of any game time he recieves.
All Blacks
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dane Coles
3. Ben Franks
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Dominic Bird
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Richie McCaw
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Dan Carter
11. Frank Halai
12. Francis Saili
13. Ben Smith
14. Charles Piutau
15. Beauden Barrett
Reserves
16. Andrew Hore
17. Jeffrey Toomga-Allen
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Luke Whitelock
21. Aaron Smith
22. Tom Taylor
23. Ryan Crotty
What do you think of the All Blacks named?
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