Thursday 15 September 2016 16:48, UK
Ardie Savea will make his first start for New Zealand when they face South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Flanker Savea's inclusion is the only change to Steve Hansen's side from the one that beat Argentina 57-22 last weekend.
He gets a chance to start, having made his first five All Blacks appearances off the bench, after fellow No 7 Sam Cane was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury.
Savea, the younger brother of New Zealand wing Julian, has been part of the squad for some years, having been included as an 'apprentice' as far back as 2013.
He made his senior debut against Wales in July, in the wake of Richie McCaw's retirement, and has since made four more appearances as a substitute.
There are two changes on the bench with Savea's slot as a back-row replacement going to Matt Todd, while Liam Sopoaga comes in for Aaron Cruden, who is struggling with a groin strain.
The All Blacks will wrap up the trophy in the Christchurch encounter with two games to spare if they claim a bonus point win over the Springboks and if Australia beat Argentina in the other fourth-round match in Perth.
"We know they'll be hurting and desperate to get a result after their loss on the weekend. Therefore, our personal preparation this week will have to be at the highest level - bone deep with real clarity," Hansen said.
"We've worked hard this week on improving in the areas we felt weren't good enough last weekend. We're confident that those areas have been addressed and our performance will be improved.
"Whilst we have been reasonably happy with our three games to date ... we are always striving for improvement and with South Africa having their backs to the wall, we know nothing but our best will be good enough. Accuracy with intensity will be paramount."
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett. 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Kieran Read (c).
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
