10 things you need to know about new All Black Anton Lienert-Brown

New All Blacks second-five Anton Lienert-Brown. Photo / Photosport

10 things you need to know about new All Black Anton Lienert-Brown who will start in the number 12 jersey on Saturday.

1) Lienert-Brown nominates the man he has replaced, Sonny Bill Williams, as his favourite player - "great athlete and person." His favourite sports person is basketball legend Michael Jordan.

2) He only added to the squad early this month because SBW suffered a season-ending injury playing for the sevens in Rio.

3) Versatility has helped his rise - he made his Chiefs debut in 2014 on the wing aged 18 against the Bulls in Pretoria. All Black coach Steve Hansen said: "The reason why we have gone for Anton is that he can cover inside and outside centre. He gives us better options than anyone else."

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4) Lienert-Brown's midfield preferences have changed. "At the start of the year it would have been 12 but...I think with the skill set I have I probably prefer it more at 13," he said after the Super Rugby season.

5) His older brother Daniel is a skilful prop with the Highlanders, and is seen by some as a potential All Black.

6) Lienert-Brown is Christchurch Boys High's 43rd All Black - old boys include his current team mates Owen Franks and Brodie Retallick. The most recent All Black coaches - Graham Henry and Steve Hansen - also attended the school.

7) When asked about an interesting rugby fact, Lienert-Brown said he played Super Rugby before he had played senior club rugby. His speedy rise to the test team is even more remarkable when you consider he missed the 2013 season after dislocating his shoulder in a schools match the previous year.

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8) He is the first player from last year's world title winning under-20 team to make the step up to the All Blacks. Akira Ioane may well be the next. Lienert-Brown captained the under-20s in a 2014 World Cup match against Samoa at North Harbour.

9) He's old school when it comes to music, listing UB40 as his favourite band.

10) Lienert-Brown has already worn an All Black jersey in anger - in a practice match against Counties Manukau at Pukekohe two weeks ago. He said it was a "dream come true"