All Blacks: McKenzie gets nod at 10, Razor springs minor fullback surprise

Damian McKenzie has been given the responsibility of leading the All Blacks’ attack in the first Test against England, with head coach Scott Robertson springing a minor surprise at fullback in the form of Stephen Perofeta.

McKenzie was widely assumed to be named at No.10, but the next assumption was that Beauden Barrett, recently returned from a Japan sabbatical, would be named in the No.15 jersey.

Not so. In one of the most highly anticipated All Black match-day squads in a long time, recent Super Rugby winner Perofeta has the honour of starting there in Dunedin in his first Test since 2022, with Barrett named on the reserves bench.

Elsewhere, there are recalls for halfback TJ Perenara, right wing Sevu Reece and blindside flanker Samipeni Finau.

Ardie Savea, the reigning World Rugby player of the year, starts at No.8, with Dalton Papali’i at openside flanker.

Skipper Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu will start in the second row, with Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax making up a powerful front row.

Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are in the midfield, as expected.

In a statement, Robertson said: “This was a very tough squad to pick, but we’ve selected the best 23 players to beat England on Saturday.

“There is a lot of excitement in the group for our first Test and we’re walking together toward this opportunity to represent New Zealand and our families in Dunedin in front of a sold-out stadium. We’ve prepared well and we’re ready.”

Finlay Christie is on the bench as halfback cover, with midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown also named there. Lienert-Brown and Beauden Barrett have a combined 193 Test caps.

Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tupou Vaa’i and Luke Jacobson are the forward replacements.

It will be the 32-year-old Perenara’s first Test since the 25-25 draw against England at Twickenham, the last time the All Blacks played the Red Roses.

Reece is also returning to the black jersey after a knee injury wrecked his season last year.

(Test caps in brackets)

1. Ethan de Groot (22), 2. Codie Taylor (85), 3. Tyrel Lomax (32), 4. Scott Barrett (69) (Captain), 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (43), 6. Samipeni Finau (1), 7. Dalton Papali’i (32), 8. Ardie Savea (81) (Vice Captain), 9. TJ Perenara (80), 10. Damian McKenzie (47), 11. Mark Tele’a (9), 12. Jordie Barrett (57) (Vice Captain), 13. Rieko Ioane (67), 14. Sevu Reece (23), 15. Stephen Perofeta (3).

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua (6), 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (57), 18. Fletcher Newell (13), 19. Tupou Vaa’i (25), 20. Luke Jacobson (18), 21. Finlay Christie (21), 22. Anton Lienert-Brown (70), 23. Beauden Barrett (123).

More to come.

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