All Blacks squad named - McKenzie to start

Damian McKenzie is a shock selection at fullback as the All Blacks try to add a darker shade of grey to the gloomy clouds hanging over Australian rugby.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made six changes to the side that drew 15‑all with the British and Irish Lions in the third test in Auckland on July 8, with McKenzie emerging as the biggest winner after the selectors elected to revamp their back three for the match against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night.

While Liam Squire is another surprise inclusion, named at blindside flanker ahead of veteran Jerome Kaino, few could dispute the fact that McKenzie must be wearing the widest smile in the plush suburb of Double Bay, where the All Blacks are based, this week.

Given Hansen and his fellow selectors could have picked Ben Smith or Israel Dagg, both established test players, to start at fullback the addition of McKenzie, who has played just two tests, will cause most of the discussion among Kiwi fans.

Another fullback, Jordie Barrett, who started in the position in the final test against the Lions, has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury.

Ben Smith has been named on the right wing, with Rieko Ioane, who wasn't picked for the last test against the Lions because of illness, filling the No 11 jersey.

22-year-old McKenzie was initially listed in the squad as a replacement player for Smith, who will take a sabbatical after the Bledisloe Cup matches in Sydney and Dunedin.

Israel Dagg, who played all three tests against the Lions and was involved in the Crusaders' play‑off games when they claimed the Super Rugby title by beating the Lions in the final in Johannesburg, has not been listed in the match‑day 23.

His four‑match ban completed, Sonny Bill Williams will be expected to direct his fury in a more clinical manner when he starts alongside Ryan Crotty in the midfield.

ALL BLACKS:

Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Reserves:

Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Luke Romano, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert‑Brown.

Source: stuff.co