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All Blacks drop McKenzie, Barrett to start against Australia / Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY - AFP/File
All Blacks drop McKenzie, Barrett to start against Australia
New Zealand veteran Beauden Barrett was recalled Thursday to start at flyhalf against Australia this weekend, replacing Damian McKenzie who has been relegated to the bench.
McKenzie has started all eight games in the number 10 shirt this season, but makes way for Barrett, 33, who will play his 131st Test on Saturday in Wellington.
"Damian McKenzie can provide experienced cover at both first-five and fullback, as Beauden has previously," head coach Scott Robertson said in a statement.
Robertson has deployed two-time world player of the year Barrett in a variety of backline roles, preferring him as a fullback or off the bench as a utility.
Barrett will partner scrum-half TJ Perenara in the run-on side, who has replaced Cortez Ratima.
McKenzie was dropped after squandering several chances in last Saturday's nail-biting 31-28 win over Australia in Sydney, which Barrett missed with illness.
Anton Lienert-Brown comes in at inside centre for Jordie Barrett, who drops out with a knee injury.
Loose forward Sam Cane will play his 100th Test, becoming only the 13th All Black to reach the milestone, in front of an anticipated capacity crowd.
Both Cane and Perenara will likely be playing their last internationals on home soil having signed contracts with Japanese clubs beginning next year.
New Zealand want to snap a five-match winless streak in Wellington, dating back to 2018.
Australia have beaten the All Blacks once at Sky Stadium -- the first time they played there in 2000.
The teams drew 16-all in 2020.
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup by beating the Wallabies away last Saturday.
Neither side is in contention for the Rugby Championship title, which will be decided in Nelspruit on Saturday when table leaders South Africa host second-placed Argentina.
Australia will name their team later Thursday.
New Zealand (15-1):
Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi; Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (capt); Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili
R.Poirier--PS
