All Blacks team named for first Test

All Blacks team named for first Test

The match day 23 for the first Test of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series is (with Test caps in brackets):
1. Joe Moody (25)
2. Codie Taylor (16)
3. Owen Franks (91)
4. Brodie Retallick (61)
5. Samuel Whitelock (85)
6. Jerome Kaino (78)
7. Sam Cane (41)
8. Kieran Read (97) - Captain
9. Aaron Smith (59)
10. Beauden Barrett (50)
11. Rieko Ioane (2)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (34)
13. Ryan Crotty (26)
14. Israel Dagg (62)
15. Ben Smith (61) 
16. Nathan Harris (5)
17. Wyatt Crockett (59)
18. Charlie Faumuina (47)
19. Scott Barrett (5)
20. Ardie Savea (13)
21. TJ Perenara (30)
22. Aaron Cruden (47) / Lima Sopoaga (7)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (10)
The matchday 23 sees the return of captain Kieran Read with Ardie Savea moving to the bench. Rieko Ioane has been named on the left wing replacing Julian Savea in what will be Ioane's first start in his third Test. 
It will also be Ioane's third time facing the Lions in this year's DHL New Zealand Lions Series. Ryan Crotty returns from injury and has been named at centre, with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to the bench.
Meanwhile, first five-eighth Aaron Cruden and Lima Sopoaga have been bracketed as first-five cover, with a decision to be made tomorrow.

Moody is the only weak link I see.

 not very sure about Reiko Ioane,.... big call,..... still too young at 20,.... and inexperienced, his first start,... doesn't place correctly in defense quite often.... on his side, he has better aerial skills than Savea and Naholo,.... and it's gonna be a constant kicking by the lions

defenitively I would have played with 12. Crotty 13. ALB,... SBW showed many defensive weaknesses in the first half hour of the last AB game,... the only variable to the kick&chase game that the Lions have made is to attack straight through the centers,.... Crotty is probably going to have a busy night on defense with SBW on one side and Ioane on the other

and Aaron Smith is finally the choosen,...

 Very good team.

 Yes, Hansen has shown us in the past that he will take some risks and starting Ioane at 11 over Savea is a calculated risk. What an honour for the 20 year old. 
This reminds all ABs that Hansen is willing to make such decisions. He also shows he is willing to stick by his more established players, starting A. Smith over TJ shows this. But having  TJ come off the bench will be a big boost and if Smith is struggling he will be yanked.

 
Aaron Cruden confirmed on All Blacks bench after knee injury concerns

Aaron Cruden has beaten a knee injury to take his spot on the bench in the first test against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Cruden was initially bracketed on the bench with Lima Sopoaga due to concerns over medial ligament damage in his knee picked up in the Chiefs' win over the Hurricanes earlier this month.

That means Sopoaga drops out of the match day squad.

If Cruden gets on the field, it will be his 48th test and means he is still on target to play his 50th test before heading to French club Montpellier at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Cruden, from Manawatu, has scored 322 points, including five tries, in test rugby since his debut in 2010.

 better to have him on the bench,....

Good team, ABasque.

Rieko Ioane's selection ahead of Julian Savea is yet another example of the Kiwis picking form over reputation.

Wish we had your selectors!

 hey rooi,

saw you had a good time over here, in Europe,... and seems it bothers some snobs in this site

yeah, a good team to face the Lions,..... I would have made a more conservative approach opting for ALB and Naholo who are better defenders,.... the coaching staff opted for a very offensive team,.... SBW's offload and Ioane's attacking skills could be fundamental to break the lions' defense

lions team is also a very good team, the best possible IMO,.... CJ Stander can be considered unlucky and probably deserves Warburton's place on the bench,.... but other than that I think Gatland made the correct selection

and seems it's gonna be the contest btwin the AB attacking style, the best attack in the world,.... and the lions' rushing defense,.... two very different styles,.... very interesting match and the most expected in a while,...

I expect the NZ coaching team to find the way to break that rushing defense,..... and even to break it if the lions are allowed to be offside (as it has happened till now),.... I would be disappointed with the NZ coaching staff f the lions' defense prevail,..... it's not like the saders' backline, very young and inexperienced, facing for the first time such a defense, facing for one of the first times the NH refs, and ignoring what was coming,... now it's very clear what the lions are going to use,.... rushing defense and kick&chases,.... so the AB should be prepared for it

anyway, we'll see what style finally prevail on saturday in what's probably the best possible game of rugby btwin WCs,... can't wait

ABasque, if I was picking the AB teams I think I might have played Rieko Ioane at centre and played Naholo on the wing. Not a huge fan of Crotty although I accept that he's a lot like Conrad Smith in that he's not the flashiest but he does make the players around him look good.
Yes, All Blacks vs Lions is shaping up as a classic SH running game vs a more structured and patient NH game. It's also a clash of the best teams either hemisphere has to offer. 
Good luck to you and other All Black fans even if I really hope the Lions surprise you!
Can't wait!
Go Lions!!!

 
Yes I agree. Crotty is solid enough but nothing special. Definitely not worthy of the All Black jersey.

Leaving Naholo out comes as a bit of a shock.

That is a bloody good AB side. As a neutral I can just enjoy the spectacle without the pressure. I Haven't been this excited about a rugby match not involving the Boks.....ever!
I must admit, I am a bit torn as far as the result is concerned, I want the AB's to win because they are our Southern cousins, but I also want the Lions to win, because lets face it, the AB's have won plenty lately....either way...I can't wait!!!
NZ by 4 is my prediction.