16 Oct 2014

Barrett gets ten jersey

7:00 am on 16 October 2014

Beauden Barrett has been rewarded for his strong performances overseas with the 23-year-old named to start at first-five ahead of Aaron Cruden for the All Blacks final Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.

Regular starter Cruden missed the All Blacks trip to Argentina and South Africa after missing the team's fight to South America following a night out drinking in Auckland.

He doesn't make the match day 23, with Colin Slade in the reserves.

Aaron Cruden, waterboy

Aaron Cruden, waterboy Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Coach Steve Hansen has named a near full strength side with the return of several front-line players.

The starting XV features two changes in the front row with first-choice hooker Dane Coles replacing veteran Keven Mealamu and prop Wyatt Crockett pushing rookie Joe Moody out of the matchday 23.

Impressive lock Brodie Retallick is back in the tight-five with Patrick Tuipolotu named on the bench.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jeremy Thrush drops out of the matchday squad for Saturday's test.

Veteran Cory Jane gets a start on the right wing in the absence of the rested Ben Smith, with Charles Piutau the outside back cover on the bench.

All Black Cory Jane in action against Australia 2014.

All Black Cory Jane in action against Australia 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Malakai Fekitoa and Conrad Smith will combine again in the midfield after an impressive showing in South Africa.

Flanker Jerome Kaino has been rested promoting Liam Messam to the starting XV at blindside, with Sam Cane to provide loose forward cover from the bench.

Hansen says, "There is a real sense of determination in the team this week to prepare well and put in a quality performance on the weekend."

"There were some aspects of our game in the loss to South Africa that we weren't happy with and we have worked hard on addressing those this week."

"There is always an expectation that when you pull on the All Blacks jersey, that individually and collectively as a team, you will play well and this week is no different."

Reserve hooker Keven Mealamu looks set to play his 120th Test for the All Blacks from the bench, while Sam Whitelock will play his 60th.

Barrett has scored 94 points for the All Blacks and looks set to surpass Kieran Crowley's record of 105 points as the highest scoring All Black from Taranaki.

Brodie Retallick will play his 100th game of first-class rugby.

The All Blacks and Australia have played each other 151 times with 103 wins to the All Blacks, 41 victories to Australia and seven draws.

The two previous matches against Australia this year saw the two teams draw 12-12 in the first Test in Sydney in August and the All Blacks win 51-20 in the second Test in Auckland.

The team is (with Test caps in brackets):

Starting XV:

1. Wyatt Crockett (32)

2. Dane Coles (23)

3. Owen Franks (63)

4. Brodie Retallick (32)

5. Samuel Whitelock (59)

6. Liam Messam (35)

7. Richie McCaw (captain) (133)

8. Kieran Read (68)

9. Aaron Smith (35)

10. Beauden Barrett (25)

11. Julian Savea (28)

12. Malakai Fekitoa (6)

13. Conrad Smith (82)

14. Cory Jane (51)

15. Israel Dagg (42)

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu (119)

17. Ben Franks (37)

18. Charlie Faumuina (22)

19. Patrick Tuipulotu (3)

20. Sam Cane (19)

21. TJ Perenara (6)

22. Colin Slade (14)

23. Charles Piutau (10)

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said:

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