His three previous appearances for the All Blacks have all been as a substitute but this time he gets to start on the left wing, and in a pressure game.
Gisborne-born Bridge gets his chance after the selectors dropped established wings Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane following New Zealand’s 47-26 loss to Australia in Perth last week.
A compelling performance could secure a spot in the 2019 World Cup squad for the 24-year-old, who made his debut for Canterbury in 2016 and the Crusaders the following year.
Twenty-two-year-old Crusader Sevu Reece has been named on the right wing.
Asked how her nerves manifested, Chick Bridge said she was conscious rugby could be a “brutal game”.
“It gets pretty rough out there.
“I only watch one player on the field.”
She generally tried to talk to her son about “everything else but rugby”.
She said he was “chuffed” to be selected for the Bledisloe Cup encounter.
“We’re very proud of him.
“The week’s gone well and he’s raring to go.”
George Bridge told media yesterday he was looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s exciting for me and my family,” he said.
“I’ve had a bit of a taste of test footy. We all know it’s a pretty massive test to be a part of, so to get a start, I’m bloody excited about it.
“There’s always going to be a few nerves — it would be silly if there wasn’t.”
He was focused on performing this weekend, rather than getting ahead of himself.
“I’ve got the mindset going in of just playing my own game and hopefully I’ll give it a good go.”
Chick Bridge was delighted with how her son’s debut panned out against Japan in November last year.
He got on the park for 40 minutes, scored two tries and produced an energetic and widely praised performance.
“It’s been a great journey, just watching him,” she said.
“This Saturday will be interesting.”
