New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named three uncapped players for Saturday’s Test against Ireland.
Henry has handed debuts to full back Israel Dagg (above), centre Benson Stanley and prop Ben Franks for the game in New Plymouth.
Franks shares a place in the front row with his brother and fellow prop Owen.
New Zealand have a long history of Test-playing brothers, including Gary and Alan Whetton and Michael and Ian Jones, but the Franks brothers the first to take to the field for the All Blacks since Zinzan and Robin Brooke did so 13 years ago.
There are a further three new faces on the bench, out half Aaron Cruden – who has recovered from cancer to make a mark in Super 14 – back row Victor Vito and lock Sam Whitelock.
Henry has had to cope with several injury absentees including centre Ma’a Nonu, lock Ali Williams, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, full-back Mils Muliaina and hooker Andrew Hore.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg (Highlanders); Corey Jane (Hurricanes), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ben Stanley (Blues), Joe Rokocoko (Blues); Daniel Carter (Crusaders), Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders); Ben Franks (Crusaders), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Brad Thorn (Crusaders), Artur Boric (Blues), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Richie McCaw (Crusaders, capt), Kieran Read (Crusaders).
Replacements: Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes), Zac Guildford (Crusaders).
