Starting at 12: Tamati Ellison
New Zealand have named Highlanders team-mates Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith as their centre combination for Sunday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.
The All Blacks have named a strong side for the opening match on their European tour, with a total of 556 caps in the starting XV and an additional 267 caps of experience on the bench.
Another highlight is the inclusion of the two new caps, 25-year-old hooker Dane Coles and 22-year-old scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow amongst the replacements.
In the starting XV, prop Wyatt Crockett gets his eighth Test start for the All Blacks and is alongside hooker Andrew Hore and prop Owen Franks in the front row. Luke Romano and Samuel Whitelock are in the second row while in the loose forwards, Adam Thomson is at blindside flanker, Victor Vito makes his third Test start at number eight, while the side will again be captained by Richie McCaw in his familiar seven jersey.
In the backs, Piri Weepu has been picked at scrum-half, vice-captain Daniel Carter is at fly-half. In the outside backs, Julian Savea and Cory Jane are the wings with Israel Dagg at fullback.
An eight-man reserves bench has been named, with the All Blacks and other international teams trialling the new International Rugby Board (IRB) law amendment which allows an extra front rower on the bench.
"The team is excited about kicking off our Tour in Scotland in front of a packed house at Murrayfield," said All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen.
"We have had a good build-up this week and the key for us has been to get our preparation spot on so we can put in a performance on Sunday which we are proud of. However, we know that the Scots will lift for this Test match and we expect them to be very combative."
The All Blacks have played Scotland 28 times since 1905, with 26 wins to the All Blacks and two draws - in 1964 and 1983. The teams last played in 2010 at Murrayfield on the All Blacks Northern Hemisphere Tour, with the All Blacks winning 49-3 on that occasion.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ben Smith, 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (Captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Ali Williams, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Ma'a Nonu
Date: Sunday, November 11
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Venue: Murrayfield
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France) and Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Television match official:Graham Hughes (England)
Comments
Trader2 says...
Trinats
I guess looking at the Wannabie side, you could say "only two Aussies in the team" or thereabouts.
Posted 12:05 10th November 2012
hybrid187 says...
Yes Trinats, just the 2 overseas born players.
Posted 06:57 10th November 2012
Trinats2 says...
Just the two Aussies on the bench ?
Posted 03:46 10th November 2012
Kiwikev says...
@ PREEST
Better to keep your mouth shut...
If you Google that, you will get the rest of the quote...
Posted 21:59 09th November 2012
carpelone says...
passtheball
Possibly, none. The French referee is one of the most clueless at scrum.
PREEST.
More than arrogance is stupidity. Even the first string NZ side is close to be beaten, hopefully in this tour.
Posted 15:29 09th November 2012
APV1 says...
@ PREEST - thank goodness it's only us English who are arrogant, eh?
Posted 12:27 09th November 2012
ben7 says...
@PREEST
Are all kiwis this arrogant? You know the second part of your comment isnt true
Posted 11:11 09th November 2012
porridge_time says...
Very mobile looking AB pack just don't think Scotland have enough to threaten them, but here's hoping for an upset. As a Scot living in NZ it would be great to drop my children off at school Monday morning knowing that Scotland have broke their duck against the World Champions.
Posted 09:58 09th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Had a quick look at the weather forecast. Dry, sunny and cold... Poor Scotland.
Posted 09:24 09th November 2012
sirtidychris says...
Scotland wont get near this team, new combinations or not that team sheet strikes fear into anyone i just hope someone runs them close i'm soo fed up of the all backs putting 30 points on every NH team...Lets hope of a good old bout of britsh torrential rain in the coming weeks to slow them down.
Posted 09:22 09th November 2012
Ferdie says...
Isograford - Ellison and B Smith is an untried combo
No - they are from the Highlanders, just as C Smith and Nonu were both from hurricanes till 2011, Steve Hansen has said this is why they are playing, already a 'combination'.
This s hardly second-string or B team, 800 test caps, and hopefully good use of a 30-man squad for this tour.
Posted 09:15 09th November 2012
tuffnut says...
Individually a very talented team, however, as we haven't seen these particular combinations playing for the black jersey as a complete unit I'd have to say this is likely to be a close one. In fact, might be the best chance Scotland will have of upsetting the All Blacks for a long time. Should be a good game.
Posted 08:15 09th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Jeez 9 changes from the Brizzy test! Scotland might just fancy their chances! especially if it rains...However we do have loads of experience on the bench & I guess this is Hanson's insurance if things get a tad interesting aka Oz style when Scotland won.I like the boldness of naming a new midfield as we saw what enthusiasm the newer players brought for Australia's in the most recent bledisloe encounter. Am picking Scotland to start with a passion, they need to turn this match into a real dog fight if they are to be competitive..they need to make this game messy(a stop/start affair)! If they kick like they have a propensity to do they need to chase hard or this game is over. Particularly interested in the Jane/Visser match up! as Jane despite his small stature is an excellent defender. Here's to clear weather and a good (sold out!!) game.
Posted 07:55 09th November 2012
yankeedoodle says...
Test
Posted 07:42 09th November 2012
Melkiwi says...
Decent looking team. Good to see guys like read nonu and smith getting a bit of a rest and letting those who have had much game time a go.
With the 5 sec ruck rule looks like they are looking to inject more speed with Vito and Thompson. Abs but 20+
Posted 07:31 09th November 2012
PREEST says...
I am so impressed by the depth that we have in NZ. Many quality players in all positions. A 'second string' NZ team would still be able to beat any team in the world.
Posted 07:18 09th November 2012
Isograford says...
Crying shame our real 'second string' midfield of SBW and Kahui couldn't be taking the field for this. Scotland should be grateful that's not the case.
Ellison and Smith is an untried combo the Scots can look at targeting.
Posted 06:35 09th November 2012
jmanngod says...
even with your dodgy NH refs it'll be enough to do the business!
Posted 05:42 09th November 2012
passtheball says...
Inventive and forward looking selections - hard to complain about that. Could be an exciting backline if they get fast ball. How many penalties will Crockett concede or "win"?
Posted 05:40 09th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
good that hosea, conrad, aaron, mealamu, read, woodcock, messam, cruden and maa are getting rests to varying degrees. good rotations. best of luck to TKB and coles and also tamati in his first start!
Posted 05:37 09th November 2012