NEW ZEALAND COACH Steve Hansen has named Jerome Kaino at No. 8 in his starting team to face England at Eden Park on Saturday [KO 8.35am Irish time].
The Auckland Blues back row has not played for his country since 2011, but returns in place of Kieran Read, who has sensibly been ruled out after a relapse of the concussion symptoms that kept him sidelined for six weeks recently.
There are three uncapped players on the New Zealand bench, in the superb Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa, dynamic Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu and clever Hurricanes scrum-half TJ Perenara.
Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith renew their centre partnership, four games behind Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy’s record 55 fixtures as a pairing. The Chiefs Aaron Curden joins Aaron Smith of the ‘Landers in the halfbacks.
Up front, Richie McCaw leads a pack that includes Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock and Owen Franks, one which totals 452 Test caps.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Cory Jane; Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Dane Coles, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (capt.), Jerome Kaino.
Replacements: Kevin Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa.
