Thursday 19 September 2019 10:36, UK
Beauden Barrett will start at full-back for New Zealand in their World Cup Pool B opener against South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday after coach Steve Hansen retained Richie Mo'unga at fly-half.
Barrett has played most of his career at fly-half but has been shifted to full-back this year in order to accommodate Mo'unga, although he did start the All Blacks' final 92-7 warm-up win over Tonga in the No 10 jersey.
Hansen has often trumpeted the quality of his extended squad and the ability of players to adapt.
For Barrett, that means facing a likely barrage of high balls against a South African side eager to pressure an All Blacks' back three which includes inexperienced wingers George Bridge and Sevu Reece, who have only eight caps between them.
"Any combination of players in our squad could have justified their selection. But in the end we believe the 23 we have selected is the right group for this opposition," Hansen said.
The world champions are without lock Brodie Retallick, who was injured in the 16-16 Rugby Championship draw with the Springboks in July. Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett make up the second-row pairing.
Scott Barrett will come up against Jerome Garces again on Saturday, the referee who sent him off in the recent 47-26 loss to Australia in Perth.
Ardie Savea will wear the No 6 jersey, with Sam Cane and captain Kieran Read the other loose forwards.
Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown are the centre pairing, with Sonny Bill Williams on the bench.
After recovering from a broken thumb, Crotty played his first Test of the year against Tonga and Hansen believes his all-round contribution is well-suited for the Boks.
"Ryan has come back and played very well against Tonga. He is a leader in the group and has an excellent kicking game," Hansen said. "LB (Lienert-Brown) has been the in-form midfielder for the last six months.
"In today's rugby environment, you need to have the mindset that it's not just about who starts, it's also about what the players coming off the bench can provide.
"As an example, we have a great one-two punch with Dane (Coles) and Codie (Taylor) at hooker and Aaron (Smith) and TJ (Perenara) at half-back."
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mounga, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Nepu Laulala, 4 Sam Whitelock, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (c),
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Taavao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Ben Smith.
