All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has pulled a selection surprise for Saturday's blockbuster Rugby World Cup semi-final against England, promoting Scott Barrett to his starting backrow.
Big and versatile, Barrett comes in as blindside flanker with standout back-rower Ardie Savea switching to the openside and regular No.7 Sam Cane relegated to the bench.
Cane had operated in a twin-openside combination with Savea since the All Blacks' loss to the Wallabies in Perth in August.
Captain Kieran Read missed a training session earlier in the week because of a leg soreness but has recovered to take his place at No 8.
Barrett, who normally plays at lock, spent about 15 minutes of the 46-14 quarter-final victory over Ireland last Saturday playing in the number six position in what Hansen said had been a tactical decision.
The 25-year-old's inclusion in an otherwise unchanged starting side from that which beat Ireland adds an extra dimension to the All Blacks lineout and some additional size in the collision area.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been named on the bench for the game at the International Stadium Yokohama, replacing injured flanker Matt Todd.
"There's no doubt that this is a huge game and there's a lot of excitement around it. We know what we have to do and we've had a great week's preparation," said Hansen.
"The team is exactly where we want to be, mentally and physically, ahead of the weekend.
"This week the pressure is going to be chasing them down the street" @englandrugby head coach Eddie Jones with some fighting talk ahead of #ENGvNZL this coming Saturday at #RWCYokohama pic.twitter.com/WZfjoS29M9
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 24, 2019
"We're really looking forward to the great atmosphere that a Rugby World Cup semi-final brings and we know that there are many Kiwi fans who have travelled from home to support us.
"There are also many Japanese fans who will be at Yokohama cheering us on. We hope that we can put in a performance that will make them proud."
England name their team later on Thursday.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
