All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett has been ruled out of Sunday's Bledisloe Cup match against Australia with an Achilles injury.
Barrett had been due to start at full-back in the first major international rugby match since March., but he has now been replaced by Damian McKenzie. Richie Mo'unga starts the game at number 10 in a formidable-looking New Zealand team.
"Beauden is out and Damian [McKenzie] is in at 15," All Blacks coach Ian Foster said on Saturday.
"Beauden's Achilles flared up a little bit at training yesterday afternoon. It settled down overnight, not too bad, he's out there kicking now but we've made a decision first test to pull him out early."
Rieko Ioane, the winger who impressed so much against the Lions back in 2017, starts in the centre as coach Ian Foster tries something different.
The much-anticipated game kicks off an autumn of international rugby around the globe amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Australia captain Michael Hooper will win his 100th cap at the age of just 28.
The game gets underway at 3:00am (UK time) on Sunday but will also be re-run on Sky Sports Arena later on Sunday morning. You can see full details on the match here.
TEAM NEWS
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu'ungafasi; Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea.
Reps: Dane Coles, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaai, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.
Australia: Tom Banks; Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete; James O'Connor, Nic White; James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Taniela Tupou; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (c), Pete Samu.
Reps: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Reece Hodge.
