Five Hurricanes have been included in the All Blacks side named to face the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash in Auckland this weekend.
Cam Roigard, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Tyrel Lomax, and Peter Lakai have all been included in the match day squad for the fixture at Eden Park, which doubles as the penultimate match of the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign.
After a two-month injury layoff due to a fractured foot, Roigard has been named to start at halfback in what will be his first outing in this year's Rugby Championship, and the first time he has played for the All Blacks since the second match of the July test series against France.
It will also be the first time he has featured against the Wallabies since his test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2023, and the first time he has played at Eden Park in his 12-test All Blacks career.
Roigard joins vice-captain Barrett and Proctor - combining in the midfield for the fifth consecutive test - in the starting backline, while Lomax keeps his place at tighthead prop following the All Blacks' defeat to the Springboks in Wellington a fortnight ago.
Lakai, meanwhile, is set to make his first All Blacks appearance of the year after being included on the bench as the reserve loose forward.
The 22-year-old made the last of his three test appearances against Italy in the final match of last year's Northern Tour, and is primed to make his Rugby Championship debut and play a home test in New Zealand for the first time in his All Blacks career.
Furthermore, both Lakai and Proctor will make their Bledisloe Cup debuts in what will be their maiden test matches against the Wallabies.
With every team in the Rugby Championship sitting on two wins and two losses, just two points table-topping Wallabies and last-placed Argentina, with both sides one point apart from the second-placed Springboks and third-placed All Blacks.
Additionally, the Wallabies - looking to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002 - need to consign the All Blacks to their first defeat at Eden Park in 51 tests and 31 years to keep their hopes of obtaining the prized trans-Tasman silverware alive ahead of next week's return leg in Perth.
“With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds,” All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said.
"We are preparing for a strong Australian side and understand the importance of this match and the Bledisloe Cup. There is a lot to play for on Saturday evening."
Kick-off for this weekend's test between the All Blacks and Wallabies is scheduled for 5:05pm NZT.
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All Blacks team to play the Wallabies
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Fabian Holland
5. Tupou Vaa'i
6. Simon Parker
7. Ardie Savea (c)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cam Roigard
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett (vc)
13. Billy Proctor
14. Leroy Carter
15. Will Jordan
16. Samisoni Tuakei'aho
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Peter Lakai
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Quinn Tupaea
23. Damian McKenzie
