Dave Rennie has confirmed Beauden Barrett will start the All Blacks' opening match of the Greatest Rivalry Series against the Stormers in Cape Town, with the head coach revealing the matchday 23s for all four South African fixtures — including the first Test against the Springboks — have already been locked in.
The unusual pre-selection was driven by significant travel disruptions after the team's original routing through Dubai was scrapped. The squad is now travelling via Singapore, Hong Kong and Perth on separate flights, with 23 players and seven staff departing later and arriving in Cape Town on a Friday before a full week of preparation for the Stormers match.
"Those guys will play the Stormers," Rennie confirmed. "We had to pick the first Test team and then work back to make sure we're sharing the load."
Barrett missed all three of New Zealand's Nations Championship matches in July, with Ruben Love occupying the fly-half berth and Damian McKenzie at fullback. Rennie was clear the omissions reflected squad management rather than form concerns.
"Beauden really impressed me — he's training superbly, his contribution has been excellent, very professional," Rennie said. "He's probably trained well enough to get an opportunity, but we felt Ruben needed time in the seat. Beauden gets his opportunity against the Stormers and is keen to rip in."
Rennie added that the Test team was selected prior to the Ireland fixture and may be subject to minor revision, while all squad members will see action across the three provincial warm-up games against the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks. Captain Ardie Savea is among those who will sit out the provincial fixtures.