All Blacks has made six changes to their squad that started the controversial 39-37 win over the Wallabies in Melbourne last Thursday, with lock Whitelock taking over the leadership role for the Rugby Championship decider at Eden Park after Sam Can was ruled out with injury.
Codie Taylor has been named at hooker, with Samisoni Taukei’aho, who scored two tries in Melbourne, relegated to the bench. Akira Ioane has been brought into blindside flanker, ahead of Scott Barrett who has not been named in the match-day 23 because he was listed as being unavailable for selection.
The absence of Cane, paves way for Dalton Papali’i who will start at openside flanker. Ardie Savea, who didn’t play in Melbourne because he was on paternity leave, has been listed at No 8 as a replacement for Hoskins Sotutu. The latter has been named in the reserves.
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Jordie Barrett will start at second five-eighth due to the absence of David Havili hence Beauden Barrett earning a promotion from the reserves to play at fullback.
Will Jordan has been retained on the right wing with Caleb Clarke on the left wing.
Props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Nepo Laulala, lock Tupou Vaa’i, and outside back Sevu Reece are the other new faces added to the bench.
All Blacks: (test caps in brackets):
Beauden Barrett (108), Will Jordan (20), Rieko Ioane (55), Jordie Barrett (44), Caleb Clarke (10), Richie Mo’unga (40), Aaron Smith (110), Ardie Savea (66), Dalton Papali’i (17), Akira Ioane (18), Sam Whitelock (139 and captain), Brodie Retallick (97), Tyrel Lomax (19), Codie Taylor (71), Ethan de Groot (9).
A Samisoni Taukei’aho (16), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (47), Nepo Laulala (41), Tupou Vaa’i (14), Hoskins Sotutu (11), Finlay Christie (11), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (1), Sevu Reece (20).
