All Blacks ring the changes for Bledisloe Cup II

Just three of the All Blacks starting XV - Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan - will repeat for the Bledisloe Cup return leg in Dunedin on Saturday.

AARON SMITH of the All Blacks passes the ball out during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
AARON SMITH of the All Blacks passes the ball out during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has rung the changes for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test, swapping out 12 from the side which retained the trophy and offering three debuts.

There isn't a Barrett in sight on New Zealand's teamsheet with Scott, Jordie and Beauden all spared the Dunedin clash as Foster keeps an eye on the Rugby World Cup beginning next month.

"(This is) the best team for us that we think has a job to do on Saturday, that's the number one thing," Foster said from Christchurch.

"The number two thing is we've got a lot of guys who have been with us, who have trained well and (we) really believe with what's coming around the corner, this is a great opportunity to give a few guys a run."

Only Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan have kept their place from last week's 38-7 win over Australia at the MCG, with Jordan moving to fullback.

Flanker Samipeni Finau and wing Shaun Stevenson will earn their first caps from kick-off, with Dallas McLeod to join them when he runs on from the bench.

Captain Sam Cane has also been passed fit to play, while Fletcher Newell and Leicester Fainga'anuku will play their first Tests of the season after overcoming injuries on the road to France.

After a terrific club season but poor All Blacks showing against Argentina last month, Damian McKenzie has been offered another chance as starting flyhalf.

It's hard to say whether Foster would have shaken up his team if the Bledisloe Cup was up in the air.

With so many changes the Wallabies must surely eye snapping their 22-year, 28-match streak without a win in New Zealand over their greatest rival.

Last week's result means no trophies are on the line at Forsyth Barr Stadium, with New Zealand pocketing both the Bledisloe and the Rugby Championship at the MCG.

Foster insisted the Dunedin Test was still "special" as it offered New Zealand the chance for a perfect season, and to shape his thoughts ahead of their World Cup opener against hosts France.

"The minute we take the pressure off and say (the result) doesn't matter, then we're in trouble," he said.

"The exciting (thing) for us is the World Cup starts with a pretty big game so we need to be at a high point.

"It is our last chance to play in front of our fans and, even with some changes, it is a big opportunity for us to take another step forward as a team."

The Test, which might have been at Eden Park if not for the Auckland venue's FIFA Women's World Cup duties, will also give Kiwi fans a chance to bid farewell to a number of All Blacks greats.

Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick have signed deals to play in Japanese club rugby next year, rendering them unavailable for All Blacks selection, while Samuel Whitelock is set to play in France and Dane Coles is retiring.

New Zealand: Tamaiti Williams, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Anton Lienert-Brown, Braydon Ennor, Shaun Stevenson, Will Jordan. Res: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Dallas McLeod.