Fiji‑born wing Waisake Naholo will make his latest injury comeback among four changes to New Zealand's starting line‑up for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Durban.
Naholo had been sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring.
He has played only seven Tests since suffering a broken leg on his Test debut against Argentina last July and incurred another fracture on his return to Super Rugby.
Naholo takes over from Julian Savea on the left wing in the only change to the All Blacks' starting backline.
There are three changes to the forward pack where Jerome Kaino returns from a shoulder injury to claim back the No 6 jersey from Liam Squire.
Ardie Savea drops to the replacements' bench where prop Charlie Faumuina also takes the place of Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Scrum‑half Aaron Smith, who was expected to replace TJ Perenara in the starting line‑up, has returned to New Zealand after he was suspended for one Test after admitting he joined a female friend in a public toilet last month.
The All Blacks will be chasing their 17th‑straight Test win on Sunday, one off the world record of 18 consecutive wins.
The All Blacks will take on the Springboks at 3.05am Sunday while the Pumas will meet the Wallabies at 6.30am.
All Blacks team: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert‑Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Matt Todd, 8 Kieran Read (c).
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Tawera Kerr‑Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 George Moala.
Source : Skysports
