Midfield, halfback, and the loose-forward mix are the major talking points from the All Blacks team to play Scotland in Edinburgh on Monday (NZT).
In a team featuring 10 starting changes and a further seven on the expanded eight-man bench, Highlanders duo Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith are the most notable additions to the new-look, and slightly lightweight, midfield.
Other interesting selections include Victor Vito's move to No 8, with Kieran Read being rested.
Read is expected to take over the captaincy duties from Richie McCaw in Rome next week.
Adam Thomson's start at blindside flanker is sure to cause wide-spread debate with his future still undecided and trim halfback Piri Weepu has been given an early chance to revive his career inside Dan Carter.
There is also a fully revamped front-row. Wyatt Crockett is champing at the bit for his start. The Crusaders loose-head prop will be partnered by Andrew Hore and Owen Franks.
Both rookies - halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and hooker Dane Coles - are also in line to make their test debuts from the bench, where they'll be joined by veteran lock Ali Williams at Murrayfield.
Smith's promotion at centre is not entirely surprising given he played there for a large chunk of the second-half in the Brisbane draw. There is also a growing need to find a genuine back-up to Mr Consistent Conrad Smith.
It is, however, surprising All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has excluded both Ma'a Nonu, who is on the bench, and Hurricanes captain Smith from the starting line-up. One of the experienced midfielders could have teamed up with either of the Highlanders utilities to give the side better balance.
"We thought about it but we thought this was a better option," Hansen said.
"We think there's a bit of a combination there from the Highlanders. We're looking to the future. Ma'a and Conrad are probably going to play later in this series. This is a combination that's going to spend a lot of time together in both the Highlanders and maybe future All Black teams."
Weepu was given a stern message to shape up after an underwhelming Rugby Championship and if the Blues halfback's performance can match his appearance he should take this career-defining chance. stuff.co.nz
