The All Blacks have been handed a double boost ahead of their series against the British and Irish Lions after naming both Brodie Retallick and Jerome Kaino in the squad that will take on Samoa on Friday with the pair returning from injury.
26-year-old Retallick has been absent for the Chiefs in recent weeks after being sidelined with a concussion, but will start alongside Sam Whitelock in the second row after coming through his return-to-play protocols, while 34-year-old flanker Kaino has not played since the last week of April due to a knee injury that forced him out of the Blues’ victory over the Lions last week.
Both will start in a full strength side named by All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, with captain Kieran Read the only noticeable absentee as the No 8 continues to recover from the broken thump be suffered at the start of May, meaning that Hurricanes back-row Ardie Savea is given the chance to impress at the base of the scrum.
Lions video diary day 14
Dane Coles is sidelined as expected, with the hooker still suffering from concussion issues over the past two months, while there is no Aaron Cruden and Ryan Crotty, the fly-half and centre ruled out with knee and ribs injuries respectively. In Read’s absence, full-back Ben Smith captains the All Blacks for their one and only warm-up match against the Pacific Islanders, while Sonny Bill Williams makes his first appearance for the All Blacks since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final after proving his fitness in the Blues’ victory over the Lions.
"Whilst we asked for this game to help us prepare for the DHL New Zealand Lions Series, once it became a reality, it then took on its own importance - this is a Test match against a quality and very capable opponent,” head coach Steve Hansen said after naming his side.
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Highlanders
15 show all British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Highlanders
1/15 Jared Payne – 6 out of 10 Coped about as well as he could in the first half with the kicks that came his way and put in a big tackle to stop Waisake Naholo on the try line, but guilty of taking his eye off the ball when Sinckler made a great break. Getty Images
2/15 Jack Nowell – 5 out of 10 Targeted defensively as the Highlanders repeatedly ran down his channel but did about as well as he could. Supported Webb well but could not out-run the scrambling defence. Getty Images
3/15 Jonathan Joseph – 7 out of 10 Overcame a nervy start as Malakai Fekitoa took the fight to him, but finished the Lions’ first try beautifully and also came to the fore defensively. Knocked on the final play of the game that probably didn’t do his performance justice. Getty Images
4/15 Robbie Henshaw – 6 out of 10 Caught out as he was left to defend two men when Naholo scored. Given the run-around by Fekitoa early but did well to chase the centre and kill off an overlap early in the game. Getty Images
5/15 Tommy Seymour – 6 out of 10 Poor start as he failed to collect two simple high balls, and was also held up when he came into the field before crashing into the Landers pack. Given a bashing by Naholo, but did well to judge the flight of the ball and collect a Sopaga cross-field kick to score. Getty Images
6/15 Dan Biggar – 7 out of 10 Strong start as his kicking was positive and landed a tricky conversion beautifully after Joseph’s score. Bounced back from a heavy tackle from Li that saw him flick the ball on to Nowell smartly, and unfortunate to be replaced by Owen Farrell when he was lining up a penalty effort. Getty Images
7/15 Rhys Webb – 6 out of 10 Glimpses of his best as he brought his awareness into the game, making one very good break down the blindside before offloading to Nowell. His box kicks remain too long though, and he at times tried to force the pass. Limped from the field short of the 50-minute mark. Getty Images
8/15 Joe Marler – 6 out of 10 His presence on the field was more noticeable when he was off it as the Lions scrum struggled to cope after his departure. Strong in defence and tried to impose on scrum-half Kayne Hammington. Getty Images
9/15 Rory Best – 5 out of 10 Suffered a cut to his head 25 minutes in that needed seeing to, but returned a few minutes later. Overpowered by his opposite number and also was hit backwards in the collision a few times, though his lineout accuracy proved solid. Getty Images
10/15 Kyle Sinckler – 6 out of 10 One lung-busting surge into the opposition half went wasted when Payne knocked on the offload. Held up well in the scrum but cost his side three points with a shoulder charge on Coltman that proved costly. Getty Images
11/15 Courtney Lawes – 5 out of 10 Did well to disrupt a lineout drive that led to a Lions turnover from Warburton, but knocked himself clean out soon after when he got his head on the wrong side trying to stop Waisake Naholo as he scored. Replaced by Alun Wyn Jones in the 26th minute. Getty Images
12/15 Iain Henderson – 6 out of 10 He has a knack of trying to force offloads without looking, but his strong carrying saw him repeatedly cross the gainline. Getty Images
13/15 James Haskell – 6 out of 10 Had to do his fair share of tackling as he wasn’t given too much chance with the ball in hand. Battle with the Highlanders back-row was a close one that probably finished level. Getty Images
14/15 Sam Warburton – 7 out of 10 Did well to disrupt the opposition ball in both the ruck and maul as he twice secured turnovers, and was smart enough to take the ball from the base of the ruck to score his try. Getty Images
15/15 CJ Stander – 7 out of 10 Looked like a man who was playing in his third consecutive match as he was knocked backwards a few times and also caught in possession twice. Mighty in defence, but lacked his usual gusto going forwards. Getty Images
“Samoa is about to kick off the qualifying stage of their Rugby World Cup campaign, so this will make them even more dangerous. The Samoans are always a challenge and will play with a high level of physicality and skill. At the very minimum, we will need to match that.
"This first week has been about bringing together the players from the five different Super clubs and reintroducing them to the All Blacks way. We've had a good week and are really looking forward to this match.”
It’s a daunting line-up not just for Samoa but for the Lions, given their struggles ahead of the three-Test series that starts next Saturday in Auckland, with head coach Warren Gatland still looking for his first-choice back three as well as his starting centre partnership.
While the All Blacks’ starting XV boasts a hefty 724 Test caps between them, there are no uncapped players named in the starting line-up, though loose forward Vaea Fifita and back Jordie Barrett, younger brother of starting fly-half Beauden Barrett and replacement lock Scott Barrett, are named among the replacements and are almost certain to win their first international caps.
"It's going to be a big night for Jordie and Vaea as they're both likely to play a part on the night,” Hansen said. “They've both been in great form and we're looking forward to seeing what they can do at this level.”
Fans heading to the game against Samoa in Auckland will be treated to a double-header with Wales taking on Tonga in their first summer tour match as a pre-cursor at Eden Park.
"It's going to be a unique night with two Tests being played at the same venue featuring four teams that are well known to New Zealand fans,” Hansen added. “It's a night that shouldn't be missed, as I'm picking there will be a lot of great rugby played so get on down there and show your support."
New Zealand team to face Samoa:
Ben Smith; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Caea Fifita, TJ Peranara, Lima Sopoaga, Jordie Barrett,