Three changes for All Blacks and Read to win 100th Cap in decider
All Blacks captain Kieran Read will win his 100th Test cap in the Series decider against the British and Irish Lions in Auckland on Saturday.
Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape will make their first Test starts for New Zealand while Julian Savea also returns after being dropped for the first two Tests.
Barrett, younger brother of fly-half Beauden and lock Scott, is named at full-back, having made his debut as a replacement against Samoa last month. Israel Dagg reverts to the wing while Laumape replaces the suspended Sonny Bill Williams at inside centre.
The third change to the backline sees Savea selected to the left wing in place of Rieko Ioane, with Malakai Fekitoa named on the bench.
The pack is unchanged with skipper Kieran Read set to become the seventh All Blacks centurion, while Aaron Cruden and Charlie Faumuina will win their 50th caps if introduced from the bench.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said: “Firstly, on behalf of the All Blacks and all of New Zealand, I’d like to congratulate ‘Reado’ [Kieran Read] on reaching the milestone of 100 Test matches.
“It’s a special achievement to play just one Test, so to play 100 is a remarkable effort. His playing ability speaks for itself and inspires others, and he now joins a unique group of special All Blacks.
“We’d also like to congratulate Jordie on making his first Test start in what will be a very memorable occasion for him.
“This final match in the DHL New Zealand Lions Series is going to be a cracker. It’s the series we expected it to be, as the Lions have quality players. It now comes down to this Saturday – the winner takes all – and that’ll create its own unique pressures and it’s going to be interesting to see how both sides cope with it.
“We’ve had a good week of preparation and are very excited by the opportunity that’s ahead of us, and I’m sure the Lions are as well.
“We know it’ll be a physical and intense match, but just as importantly, it’ll be a game where both teams will have moments of momentum, and the ability of everyone to adapt and adjust throughout the 80 minutes will be crucial.”
New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (c)
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa
