New Zealand include two new caps, openside flanker Richard McCaw and centre Aaron Mauger, in the team to play Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. John Mitchell, in his first match as All Blacks coach, has largely rewarded current form, manifest in 10 players being selected from Canterbury, recent winners of the NPC series in New Zealand.
There are also recalls for number eight Scott Robinson and loosehead prop Greg Feek, neither of whom featured in the Tri-Nations series. Four of Saturday's replacements, hooker Tom Willis, prop Dave Hewett, lock Dion Waller and full-back Ben Blair - he helped himself to 38 of New Zealand's 43 points that night - made their All Blacks debut against Ireland A at Ravenhill.
Mitchell, in explaining broadly about the team composition and specifically the two new caps, stated: "I decided to reward form shown in the NPC and that is reflected in the team. In these days where you need to keep recycling ball to break down defences you need a specialist number seven and he (McCaw) provides that.
"Aaron (Mauger, pronounced major) is a very good pivot and has lots of vision."
McCaw arrives with a huge reputation despite his tender years: he's 20. He captained New Zealand Colts to victory in the final of the SANZAR under-21 tournament in Sydney during the summer. Their passage to the final included a victory over Ireland.
Mauger, one of two brothers in the squad - the other Nathan also plays in the centre - is no stranger to Irish shores having spent the winter of the 1997-'98 season playing with Suttonians under-20s. "I had a great time while I was here and made a lot of friends with whom I have kept in contact since. Some of them have been over to New Zealand.
"I missed the start and end of the under-20s season with Suttonians but played in most of the matches. I missed a couple of months of school to stay on for a time. I went to Lansdowne Road the last time the All Blacks played Ireland in 1997 with a few of my Irish mates. I was a bit worried when Keith Wood popped over for a couple of early tries." Mauger had the last laugh as the All Blacks romped home 63-15.
He conceded he was surprised to have made the touring party in the first instance, let alone be preparing for his Test debut on Saturday.
"Everything has happened so fast that I haven't really had time to think about it. I am excited by the opportunity. I'll just focus on doing my job and make sure that everything that goes through my hands functions smoothly."
Mauger is not the only All Black in the starting XV to have experienced Irish club rugby as number eight Scott Robinson spent a season playing with Ards in the AIB League.
The team also contains established stars like Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, captain Anton Oliver and Norm Maxwell.
Mitchell will demand a harder edge to the New Zealand pack, a throwback to the halcyon days, but has also selected a back line brimming with pace and physique. As a former assistant Irish coach he is aware of the challenge that lies ahead. "Any side that beats England deserves our respect. Ireland have been in outstanding form lately."
The obvious pressure of his first Test match in charge has meant that a snatched conversation with his old flat-mate and Waikato team-mate, Ireland coach Warren Gatland, was all that he could manage after Tuesday night's match at Ravenhill. "Yeh, I saw him just to say hello but there wasn't much time for anything else. I'll look forward to having a longer chat with him after the game."
The bragging rights will be of paramount importance to both men.
NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald (Canterbury); D Howlett (Auckland), T Umaga (Wellington), A Mauger (Canterbury), J Lomu (Wellington); A Mehrtens (Canterbury), B Kelleher (Otago); G Feek (Canterbury), A Oliver (Otago, capt), G Somerville (Canterbury); C Jack ( Canterbury), N Maxwell (Canterbury); R Thorne (Canterbury), S Robertson (Canterbury), R McCaw (Canterbury). Replacements: M Robinson (North Harbour), B Blair (Canterbury), C Ralph (Canterbury), T Willis (Otago), D Hewett (Canterbury), D Waller (Wellington), M Holah (Waikato).
