Sonny Bill Williams has been named in the All Blacks team to play Australia in the opening Investec Rugby Championship match at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Williams – who is departing to Japan – was called in this week as core for the injured Conrad Smith and Richard Kahuo and will partner Ma’a Nonu in the centre.
Cory Jane and Hosea Gear are preferred to Julian Savea and Zac Guilford on the wings with Dan Carter returning at No.10.
The most capped All Blacks prop and hooker of all time in Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu start in the front row while Luke Romano is preferred to Chief’s sensation Broddie Retalick in the second row. Richie McCaw captains the side from his favourite openside position with Kieran Read returning at No.8.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Kevin Mealamu, Owen Franks; Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock; Liam Messam, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read.
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.