Preview: New Zealand v Wales
The World Cup champions are shorn of some stars, but intent on making an emphatic winning statement in the first Test against Wales.
In a blunt warning to the visitors, coach Steve Hansen is demanding the All Blacks improve from where they signed off in 2015 after lifting the World Cup.
Hansen wants New Zealand to avoid the slip Wales have suffered since they beat England 28-25 in the pool stage at last year's World Cup.
They have since lost twice to England and finished second to England in the Six Nations before heading to New Zealand.
The All Blacks, in contrast, have been untested since the World Cup triumph and go into their first game of the season with Read taking over the captaincy from Richie McCaw.
McCaw, along with Dan Carter and several other senior players, stepped away from the Test arena at the end of last year.
And although their departures robbed the side of 859 Test caps, Hansen has been in no mood to dwell on the past.
"We've tried to make sure we've planned for this rollover of these great players," he said.
"Whilst the opposition might believe that we're vulnerable because it's our first Test and we have lost some experienced players, we don't have that mindset.
"So we'll put a full stop on 2015. It's a new start from the point of view that we must go to a higher level."
Hansen has named a strong starting side with his policy of developing depth between World Cup years allowing him to name a squad with a combined experience totalling 720 caps.
There is a hint of experimentation on the bench from where the uncapped Ardie Savea and Seta Tamanivalu are likely to make their debuts late in the match.
The only area where the All Blacks are seemingly inexperienced is in the midfield where Tamanivalu will be backing up Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa who step up from the background roles they previously occupied behind the now departed Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
And it is an area where Wales look particularly strong with the impressive pairing of Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts.
Ospreys pair Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar fill the roles of scrumhalf and flyhalf, with Biggar's goal-kicking precision an added bonus.
But ball supply is likely to be a problem for Wales in Auckland despite the lift their pack will undoubtedly get from the return of injured skipper Sam Warburton and their desire to support lock Alun Wyn Jones in his 100th Test.
Seven of the eight members of the All Blacks pack played in the World Cup final, with the one omission being Sam Whitelock who has a hamstring strain but will be available later in the three-Test series.
But only four of the backs from the World Cup final squad have survived with Aaron Cruden winning the pivotal battle to replace Carter and drive the game plan from fly-half.
History also favours the All Blacks who have won their past 26 Tests against Wales dating back to 1953.
At their Eden Park fortress, the venue for Saturday's encounter, the All Blacks have won 35 consecutive Tests since they were last beaten there by France, 23-20, 22 years ago.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: You can start with Ben Smith at fullbacks and finish with Aaron Smith at scrumhalf and all of the backline have star qualities. However, the spotlight is likely to be brightest on Aaron Cruden at flyhalf, given that he has first dips on the No.10 jersey. It would also be interesting to see if Sam Cane can be as effective at the breakdown as his predecessor, Richie McCaw was.
For Wales: The veteran midfield combination of Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts will play a key role, while Dan Biggar's kicking boot will be vital. Taulupe Faletau will be robust and Alun Wyn Jones busy in the contact area.
Head to head: There are some intriguing contests all over the field, but none more so than at flyhalf – where Aaron Cruden (New Zealand) and Dan Bigger (Wales) hold the key to they respective teams' backline performances. Obviously neither van play without the ball – which means the decisive battles will be up front: Sam Cane (New Zealand) against Sam Warburton (Wales); Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) against Alun Wyn Jones (Wales); along with the scrum contest between Owen Franks, Dane Coles and Joe Moody (New Zealand) and Samson Lee, Ken Owens and Gethin Jenkins (Wales).
Recent results:
2014: New Zealand won 34-16, Cardiff
2012: New Zealand won 33-10, Cardiff
2010: New Zealand won 37-25, Cardiff
2010: New Zealand won 29-10, Hamilton
2010: New Zealand won 42-9, Dunedin
2009: New Zealand won 19-12, Cardiff
2008: New Zealand won 29-9, Cardiff
2006: New Zealand won 45-10, Cardiff
2005: New Zealand won 41-3, Cardiff
2004: New Zealand won 26-25
Prediction: Unless the New Zealand players are complacent, or there is a major malfunction in their communication lines, there is only one winner – New Zealand. Wales will do well to keep the margin below 20 points, but it is likely to be closer to 30 points.
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Scott Williams.
Date: Saturday, June 11
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (08.35 UK time; 07.35 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy, with a drizzle in the morning. There will be stronger showers in the evening. High of 18°C and a low of 11°C
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Will Houston (Australia)
Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com
