Loose forward Hoskins Sotutu will make his first All Blacks appearance of the year after replacing Ardie Savea for the opening Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Melbourne.
Hoskins Sotutu will start at No.8 for the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup test in Melbourne. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Dynamic Blues No.8 Sotutu will pack down at the back of the scrum in Thursday night's match in one of two starting changes announced by coach Ian Foster on Thursday from the side who dismantled Argentina 53-3 in their previous Rugby Championship test.
Sotutu has been in Foster's squad since completing an impressive Super Rugby Pacific campaign but hasn't added to his 10 tests this year, mainly attributable to the form of Savea.
One of New Zealand's best performers throughout their roller-coaster 2022 season, Savea remained in New Zealand this week ahead of the birth of his third child.
Sotutu, 24, said he would be motivated to perform.
"I haven't played for the All Blacks for a long time now. To get the opportunity to play is really special. My family will be really proud as well," he said.
"Obviously it's a big occasion but I'm a pretty calm person so I'm just keen to get out and try to play and win the game.
"With opportunities, I've got to take them, to show that I'm ready to play at this level and I don't have a question mark above my head when it comes to team namings."
Foster had named an unchanged starting side in New Zealand's three previous tests, following on from a stated aim to "bed in" combinations this year but he was forced into changes this week - both among the loose forwards - against Dave Rennie's Wallabies.
Scott Barrett reverts to the blindside flank after Shannon Frizell was ruled out by a rib injury suffered against the Pumas in Hamilton.
Lock Brodie Retallick is restored to the starting pack for his 97th Test, while Akira Ioane is back on the reserves bench.
Victory over an inconsistent Australian side in the first match of a two-test series would guarantee New Zealand maintain their hold on the Bledisloe Cup which extends back to 2003.
New Zealand lead the Rugby Championship standings by a point from Australia, South Africa and Argentina going into the final two rounds of the southern hemisphere tournament.
"We are incredibly driven to keep hold of this trophy which means so much to both countries," Foster said.
"And when you factor in how tight this year's Rugby Championship is, all signs point towards another great test match here in Melbourne."
Australia named veteran first five-eighth Bernard Foley to play his first test since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with injured pair Noah Lolesio and Quade Cooper both unavailable.
The recall of 33-year-old Foley is one of eight starting changes to the Wallabies side beaten 24-8 by South Africa in their last start in Sydney.
Prop James Slipper will lead the home side in his 122nd test while wing Marika Koroibete will earn a 50th cap.
The All Blacks have brushed aside an apparent lack of interest in the test, with sports fans in the Victorian capital focused primarily on the AFL play-offs.
All Blacks:
Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Reiko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Cane (captain), Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Dane Coles, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupeaa.
Wallabies:
Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Rob Leota, Matt Philip, Jed Holloway, Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper.
Reserves: Folau Fainga'a, Scott Sio, Pone Fa'amausili, Darcy Swain, Fraser McReight, Nic White, Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia.
-RNZ
