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Tokyo - Jordie Barrett will start at flyhalf for the All Blacks and lock Brodie Retallick returns from a 10-week injury lay-off for Sunday's Rugby World Cup match against Namibia in Tokyo.
Ben Smith has been restored as fullback and all three scrum-halves feature in the match-day 23 as coach Steve Hansen works to keep his entire 31-man squad match-fit to cover all eventualities in the knockout stages.
Only Barrett, Jack Goodhue and Shannon Frizell are backing up from the side that started in the 63-0 win over Canada four days ago.
The versatile Jordie Barrett, 22, the youngest of the three All Blacks brothers, will start in the 10 jersey for the first time in a Test although he has slotted in as first receiver at times in his previous 13 Tests.
"Jordie can play multiple positions in the back line and we're confident that he'll handle the responsibility well. He has all the skill sets required and we're looking forward to seeing him play there," Hansen said.
With the twin playmaker pair Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga being rested for the match, scrumhalf TJ Perenara will provide back-up for Jordie Barrett off the bench while Brad Weber will cover Aaron Smith who starts in the nine jersey.
It also allows Ben Smith to return to his favoured fullback role after being pushed aside in recent Tests to make way for the Beauden Barrett-Mo'unga partnership.
Towering lock Retallick returns after being sidelined with a dislocated shoulder since the All Blacks' Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in late July.
He is reunited in the second row with regular partner Sam Whitelock, who will captain the side while Kieran Read is rested.
"It's great to have Brodie back," Hansen said.
"There's been some great work done by not only Brodie himself but also by the medical team. Obviously, Brodie is very excited to be in a position to pull the jersey back on.
"In naming this team, we had to consider the short turnaround between the Canadian and Namibian games. We've managed to ensure that we've got plenty of fresh players starting this match.
"Our preparation on-field this week is all about getting the balance right over the next two days. It's a case of not too much and not too little, from a physical point of view."
Teams:
New Zealand
15 Ben Smith, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 George Bridge, 10 Jordie Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 TJ Perenara, 23 Rieko Ioane
Namibia
15 Johan Tromp, 14. Lesley Klim, 13 Justin Newman, 12 Johan Deysel (captain), 11 JC Greyling, 10 Helarius Axasman Kisting, 9 Damian Stevens, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Thomasau Forbes, 6 Prince Gaoseb, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 4 PJ van Lill, 3 AJ de Klerk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Andre Rademeyer
Substitutes: 16 Obert Nortje, 17 Nelius Theron, 18 Johannes Coetzee, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Adriaan Booysen, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 Darryl de la Harpe, 23 Janry du Toit
