Rugby: Damian McKenzie gets another go at first five for the All Blacks

Damian McKenzie will be back at first five for the All Blacks. Photo / Getty

Damian McKenzie has been given another opportunity to steer the All Black ship in the absence of Beauden Barrett and making the little No10's job more challenging in Dunedin on Saturday is the relatively inexperienced line-up around him.

It is a case of last man standing for Highlander Shannon Frizell, who will wear the No6 jersey on his home ground against France in his test debut after Liam Squire (shoulder) and Vaea Fifita (head) were ruled out following the scrappy second test win in Wellington.

The selection of midfielder Jack Goodhue, however, has a real throw-of-the-dice feel about it. The promising Goodhue, who turned 23 just over a week ago, will make his test debut alongside fellow Mt Albert Grammar old boy Sonny Bill Williams and it is here that the selectors have stayed true to their aim of wanting to test the depth in their squad.

Steve Hansen and company have resisted the temptation to start Richie Mo'unga in the No10 jersey, but the Crusaders playmaker is named on the reserves bench and is also in line to make his test debut, with Highlanders lock or loose forward cover Jackson Hemopo yet another about to be capped for the first time, bringing to four the total of new players in the 23.

"One of the aims of the series was to continue to build depth across our squad and give players opportunities," Hansen said. "Now that we have secured the Dave Gallaher Trophy and won the series, we think this is the right time to do that.

McKenzie, on at first-five in the 12th minute in Wellington after Barrett suffered a concussion in his now notorious clash with the unfortunate Benjamin Fall, didn't control the test as well as he or the coaches would have liked, but given the changes to the rest of the squad he was always likely to be given an opportunity to redeem himself.

It will be McKenzie's 12th start in his 15th test, but, significantly, it will be his first start at first-five and he will be expected to play with a composure and calmness that he couldn't quite manage at Westpac Stadium last weekend.

In further re-shuffles, there is a recall for right wing Waisake Naholo, with Ben Smith moved back to fullback in place of Jordie Barrett, named on the bench. There is no Sam Cane in the team, with Ardie Savea starting at openside flanker and Matt Todd on the bench.

Goodhue, named in place of Anton Lienert-Brown at centre, is a truly exciting prospect for the All Blacks following his form for the Crusaders over the past couple of seasons. He has bulked up in recent years and is known as an intelligent defender and an attacking player who is hard to stop near the line but perhaps his best attribute is his ability to learn quickly.

His combination with Williams, recalled in place of Ryan Crotty, will be fascinating both because of the Williams' lack of recent game time after his knee surgery and the fact that the pair could form a long-standing and destructive partnership which could take the All Blacks through to the knockout stages of next year's World Cup.

All Blacks team to play France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm is:
15. Ben Smith, 14. Waisake Naholo, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Sonny Bill Williams. 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Luke Whitelock, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Sam Whitelock ©, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody.

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Jackson Hemopo, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett.