Aaron Cruden starts at fly-half for New Zealand against Wales

Aaron Cruden has won the battle for the New Zealand No 10 jersey for the first Test against Wales in Auckland on Saturday.

Cruden has beaten off competition from Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga to start at fly-half in an All Blacks side packed with experience despite a couple of high-profile retirements.

Kieran Read captains the side in the absence of Richie McCaw who, along with Dan Carter, called time on his international career after their World Cup final victory over Australia last November.

The only uncapped players in Steve Hansen's match-day squad of 23 are flanker Ardie Savea and centre Seta Tamanivalu, who are set to make their Test debuts off the bench.

Hansen said: "Whilst the opposition might believe that we're vulnerable because it's our first Test and we have lost some experienced players, we don't have that mindset.

"We have some very excited players who have trained well during the week and are getting the opportunity to make a statement about who they are and what the All Blacks jersey means to them.

"We're well aware that this is a good Welsh team and not one that we'll underestimate and we're looking forward to the challenge that comes with playing Test match football, which involves high-pressure moments and huge physicality.

"On a personal note, we would also like to congratulate (Wales') Alun Wyn Jones who looks set to play his 100th Test this weekend. It's a fantastic achievement."

Live International Rugby Union

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea; 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks; 4 Luke Romano, 5 Brodie Retallick; 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (c).

Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.