Anton Lienert-Brown has replaced the injured Jordie Barrett in New Zealand’s midfield for the World Cup opener between the All Blacks and France in Paris on Friday.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made a handful of changes to the side that suffered a record loss to the Springboks in the final World Cup warm-up at Twickenham.
TEAM: France sans Danty for World Cup opener
There is just one change to the backline as Chiefs midfielder Lienert-Brown will make his 63rd Test appearance after Jordie Barrett was ruled out of the match against the tournament hosts.
Lienert-Brown forms the midfield with Rieko Ioane, while Beauden Barrett is joined once again by Mark Telea and Will Jordan in the outside backs.
A change in the back-row sees Dalton Papali’i combine with captain Sam Cane to offer a twin-poacher threat at the breakdown, while Ardie Savea retains the No 8 jersey.
Scott Barrett stays as the starting lock with centurion Sam Whitelock, after his red card against the Springboks.
There are two further changes in the front row as Codie Taylor returns as the starting hooker after missing the Twickenham clash, while Nepo Laulala is called up to start at tighthead in the injury-enforced absence of Tyrel Lomax.
The All Blacks have opted to return to the 5-3 split between replacement forwards and backs, with centre David Havili set to make his first Test appearance of the year, while wing Leicester Fainga’anuku offers muscle from the bench.
Photo: Sanka Vidanagama / AFP