All Blacks coach Ian Foster has not made wholesale changes after the shock loss to Argentina but Akira Ioane returns to the starting line-up at blindside flanker for just his second test appearance.
Ioane started his first in the 24-22 defeat to the Wallabies in Brisbane three weeks ago but was replaced after 30 minutes because of prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi’s red card.
The All Blacks had to reshuffle their remaining 14 players but at Ioane’s expense after his positive start in the defeat to Australia.
The 25-year-old Blues loose forward gets another opportunity in the black No 6 jersey after not featuring when Argentina stunned the All Blacks 25-15 in Sydney two weeks ago.
Ioane replaces Shannon Frizell, who has been dropped after the All Blacks were beaten by Argentina in a test for the first time, and he starts with captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the back row. No 8 Hoskins Sotutu provides cover on the bench.
The All Blacks have not changed any of their back line but there are three new starters in the pack: Ioane, lock Scott Barrett and tighthead prop Nepo Laulala.
Barrett’s return alongside veteran Sam Whitelock in the second row pushes Patrick Tuipulotu to the bench and rookie Tupou Vaa’i drops out of the 23.
Laulala has taken Tyler Lomax’s spot as starting tighthead while hooker Dane Coles and loosehead prop Joe Moody, who plays his 50th test, complete the front row. Karl Tu’inukuafe is the reserve loosehead in place of Alex Hodgman.
In the backs, Beauden and Jordie Barrett start at fullback and right wing respectively and Richie Mo’unga retains the No 10 jersey alongside halfback Aaron Smith.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue will continue their midfield combination and Caleb Clarke starts on the left wing after scoring his first test try against Argentina.
TJ Perenara returns as reserve halfback in place of Brad Weber, Rieko Ioane retains a spot on the bench as outside back cover, and Will Jordan replaces Damian McKenzie.
The All Blacks can effectively clinch the Tri-Nations title if they beat Argentina with a bonus-point victory.
Anything less and the permutations could be complicated for the final match of the Tri-Nations between Australia and Argentina on December 5.
The All Blacks have not lost three consecutive tests since 1998 but are vulnerable to that after losing their last two against the Pumas and the Wallabies.
AT A GLANCE:
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan.
