Brad Weber says he's ready to stake his claim on the All Blacks number nine jersey.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Chiefs halfback has been named to start ahead of TJ Perenara in Sunday's third Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Perth.
It was a door opened up with first choice halfback Aaron Smith staying in New Zealand to await the birth of his second child.
And Weber was relishing the chance to capitalise.
"Opportunities in nine jersey with the All Blacks are few and far between with Aaron around.
"But I've been really keen to play in a game as big as this against the Australians. This will be one of the biggest ones I've had to date.
"I'm pretty keen to stake my claim pretty strongly this weekend."
Weber's second start at halfback was set to come in his 11th test.
In contrast, Perenara has 71 tests to his name.
But All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said the selection was simply a vote of confidence in Weber.
"We really wanted to build the nine combination, especially with Aaron not here and to complement TJ's leadership and experience, so this is a great opportunity to put our faith in Brad to start the test."
Brothers Beauden and Scott Barrett have also filled spots vacated by senior players who haven't travelled to Australia as they await the arrival of new babies.
Beauden is back at first five-eighth, replacing Richie Mo'unga, while Scott gets the start at lock in place of Sam Whitelock.
There was just one other change in the forwards from the side which wrapped up the Bledisloe for another year in Auckland three weeks ago.
A tight groin for Patrick Tuipulotu meant Tupou Vaa'i came onto the bench for his first test of 2021.
In the backs, Anton Lienert-Brown returns from injury at centre, outside David Havili.
Rieko Ioane moved to the left wing, with Will Jordan on the right and Jordie Barrett at fullback.
While the match was a dead-rubber when it came to the Bledisloe, Foster said they were highly motivated by shutting out the Wallabies in 2021.
"It's been something we haven't been very good at.
"If you look at the last 10 years, we've only clean swept them three times, so it's an achievement which is obviously a little bit harder than everyone thinks because we haven't done it that often.
"It has revealed that subconsciously we don't switch well from a Bledisloe Cup series to a rugby Championship Series."
Foster said the team was excited to be playing in front of a sell-out crowd in Perth.
"Perth has a great rugby culture and we know that there are a lot of Kiwis living here who will be at the game, so can't wait to hear their support on Sunday.
"Covid has again forced so many changes this year and we especially think of cities like Dunedin and Wellington that have lost Test matches they had hoped and planned for, so it's great to be able to celebrate having this Test match here in Perth."
All Blacks team (tests in brackets):
1. George Bower (5)
2. Codie Taylor (60)
3. Nepo Laulala (33)
4. Brodie Retallick (85)
5. Scott Barrett (43)
6. Akira Ioane (6)
7. Dalton Papalii (7)
8. Ardie Savea - captain (52)
9. Brad Weber (10)
10. Beauden Barrett (93)
11. Rieko Ioane (39)
12. David Havili (7)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (51)
14. Will Jordan (6)
15. Jordie Barrett (27)
16. Samisoni Taukei'aho (3)
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe (20)
18. Angus Ta'avao (18)
19. Tupou Vaa'i (4)
20. Ethan Blackadder (2)
21. TJ Perenara (70)
22. Damian McKenzie (32)
23. George Bridge (12)
