Sonny Bill back in Black
All Black coach Steve Hansen wasted no time in drafting code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams back into the national team.
Williams will play in the midfield when New Zealand face the United States in the historic match at Soldier Field, Chicago.
Hansen named a team combining young All Black talent and some experienced heads for a game that will be played in front of a 61,500 capacity sell-out – a record attendance for a rugby match in the USA.
The starting backline features the experienced duo of Israel Dagg at fullback and Cory Jane on the right wing, with Charles Piutau on the left wing.
Williams returns to the All Blacks midfield for his first game since August 2012, starting in the No.12 jersey – alongside Ryan Crotty at centre.
Aaron Cruden returns to the playmaker's role in the No.10 jersey, with TJ Perenara at scrumhalf.
The team will be captained by No.8 and 2013 IRB Player of the Year Kieran Read, who will lead the side for the eighth time in his 70th Test.
Also in the forwards, Sam Cane starts at openside flank, with Victor Vito on the blindside; Jeremy Thrush and Patrick Tuipulotu are the locking duo in the second row.
In the front row, hooker Nathan Harris gets his first Test start after coming off the bench against Argentina last month; Joe Moody also gets his second Test start at loosehead prop, with Charlie Faumuina at tighthead prop.
Young Counties Manukau and Chiefs scrumhalf Augustine Pulu has the opportunity to make his Test debut from the bench on Saturday, while All Black Test centurion and world's leading points scorer, flyhalf Daniel Carter also makes his return from injury from the bench.
Wing Julian Savea has also been named as the outside back cover.
In the forwards reserves, the All Blacks have the experienced 120-Test veteran Keven Mealamu to call on, together with his fellow front row forwards Wyatt Crockett and Ben Franks.
Brodie Retallick is the reserve lock, with Liam Messam reserve loose forward.
"This is going to be an exciting occasion for the team, playing the USA in front of a record crowd here in Chicago, and it's great to be here representing the All Blacks and New Zealand," Hansen said.
"It's another chance for those selected to pull on the jersey and play well.
"On this tour we want to give all players in the squad the opportunity to grow their game – and we also want to develop our game as a team – and it starts on Saturday.
"While we are giving a number of players another opportunity this weekend, our expectation is that they will play to the highest level and we get a quality performance."
The All Blacks and US Eagles have played each other three times, most recently at the 1991 World Cup in Gloucester when the All Blacks won 46-6. The teams also played in 1980 in San Diego, California, and in 1913 in Berkeley, California.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Julian Savea.
Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago
Kick-off: 15.00 (09.00, Sunday, November 2 NZ Time; 20.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Chris Assmus (Canada), Andrew McMaster (Canada)
TMO: Brian Arciero (Canada)
