All Blacks: Three new caps to start against Ireland

Israel Dagg will make his All Blacks debut at fullback against Ireland on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

Three debutants in the starting 15 and potentially three more on the reserves bench highlight a fresh-faced All Blacks rugby team named today for the one-off test against Ireland in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Ben Franks, second five-eighth Benson Stanley and fullback Israel Dagg were named to start by coach Graham Henry, with the uncapped trio of Aaron Cruden, Sam Whitelock and Victor Vito on the bench.

Franks, 26, will prop the scrum with his 22-year-old brother Owen as they become the first siblings to play a test for the All Blacks since Zinzan and Robin Brooke against England in 1997.

The pair's inclusion was the biggest surprise in Henry's side, with Neemia Tialata relegated to the bench and 61-test veteran Tony Woodcock missing the squad altogether after an indifferent and injury-troubled season for the Blues.

Owen Franks has played nine tests while his brother has had one previous outing for the All Blacks, against Munster at Limerick in 2008.

Dagg, who turned 22 on Sunday, was preferred to Cory Jane as the starting fullback, with Jane retaining his spot on the right wing and Joe Rokocoko heading off youngster Zac Guildford for the No 11 jersey.

It sealed an impressive comeback for 60-test veteran Rokocoko, who was dropped for last year's tour of Europe before hitting back with an eye-catching Super 14 season for the Blues.

Highlanders fullback Dagg, a former New Zealand sevens and under-19 representative, impressed in a struggling side in the Super 14 and the All Blacks selectors felt he was ready to start a test in the absence of Mils Muliaina (calf injury), who hopes to test his fitness in Waikato club rugby on Saturday.

Blues midfielder Stanley, 25, the nephew of All Blacks centre Joe Stanley, earned the No 12 jersey amid a host of injuries to other contenders, including Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui and Stephen Donald.

Stanley made his provincial debut in 2003, captained Auckland last year and had a solid 2010 for the Blues.

"It's an exciting team that will play the Irish," Henry said.

"We have picked experienced All Blacks together with those players who have been in form throughout the Super 14 and deserve their opportunity at test level.

"They know the Irish will be a huge challenge but they are looking forward to it."

There are just eight survivors from the starting side who beat France 39-12 in Marseille in the final test of last year - Jane, Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Brad Thorn.

On the bench, powerhouse Hurricanes flanker Vito was preferred to Adam Thomson as loose forward cover, impressive Crusaders lock Whitelock was rewarded after being summoned as cover for the injured Tom Donnelly, while Hurricanes pivot Cruden was always the nominated backup for Carter.

The team are without several frontliners sidelined by injury, including Muliaina, Nonu, Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Donnelly.

All Blacks
Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Neemia Tialata, Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Zac Guildford.