Israel Folau will start at outside centre, while a groin injury has forced lock Adam Coleman out of the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks on Saturday in Yokohama.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named Sefa Naivalu on the wing to accommodate Folau’s switch to the centres for the first time in his 70-Test career after regular No 13 Reece Hodge broke an ankle at training last week. Rob Simmons will partner Izack Rodda in the second row in Coleman’s absence.
Israel Folau commits to Super Rugby with four year Waratahs deal
Veteran Sekope Kepu is in line to play his 100th Test after being named on the bench and will become the first prop in Wallabies Test history – and ninth overall – to reach the century mark should he run on at Nissan Stadium.
Kepu is joined on the bench by back-rower Jack Dempsey, who hasn’t featured at Test level since his man-of-the-match display in last year’s third Bledisloe Cup fixture last year because of a hamstring injury.
Samu Kerevi is also set to make his Test return after nearly four months out with a biceps injury suffered in the final game against Ireland in Sydney in June.
New Zealand, meanwhile, sprung a major surprise by naming Damian McKenzie to start at fullback. Coach Steve Hansen shuffled Ben Smith to the wing to make room for the diminutive but exciting McKenzie, who had been employed primarily as a bench impact player this year.
The Chiefs flyer gets his starting chance at No 15 in a run-on backline which also includes TJ Perenara, who has leapfrogged usual starting halfback Aaron Smith.
Hansen made five starting personnel changes from the team who pipped South Africa 32-30 in Pretoria three weeks ago to complete the defence of their Rugby Championship crown.
As expected, Ardie Savea and Liam Squire are the starting flankers in place of injured pair Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell. At prop, Joe Moody returns from injury in place of Karl Tu’inukuafe to form part of an all-Crusaders tight five.
World class lock Brodie Retallick is named on the bench, having recently overcome a shoulder injury, while it could be the first Test appearances of the year for flanker Matt Todd and prop Nepo Laulala.
It is the inclusion of McKenzie, effectively for winger Waisake Naholo, which will attract the attention of the Wallabies. A hugely dangerous counter-attacker, he has previously shown a propensity for unforced mistakes and could be a target of high kicks from the Wallabies.
Inside centre Sonny Bill Williams has retained his spot despite a modest outing in Pretoria and will play his 50th Test. Williams will start outside Beauden Barrett, who scored a Bledisloe Cup record 30 points, including four tries, at Eden Park when New Zealand won their last meeting 40-12 in August.
Wallabies: Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa , Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio. Reserves: Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Rory Arnold, Jack Dempsey, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Tom Banks (one to be omitted).
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Matt Todd, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Anton Lienert-Brown.