Read Returns to Lead the All Blacks

Kieran Read returns to captain the All Blacks on Saturday in the series opener against the British & Irish Lions in Eden Park.

The Crusaders No. 8 leads the side for the 23rd time. Ardie Savea moves to the bench after scoring a brace of tries against Samoa last Friday night.

Rieko Ioane has been selected on the left wing as 46-time All Black try-scorer Julian Savea drops out of the matchday 23. The Blues flyer will face the Lions for the third time in this year's series in what will be Ioane's first start in his third Test.

Ryan Crotty returns from rib cartilage damage to be named at centre alongside SBW, as Anton Lienert-Brown moves to the bench. Aaron Smith starts once again alongside Beauden Barrett.

Read is the only change to the forward pack that defeated Samoa 78-0 last Friday in Auckland.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: “This was a really tough team to pick because there were a number of players in great form vying for positions. But in the end the three selectors felt this was the best combination to take on the Lions in the first Test.

Meanwhile, fly-half Aaron Cruden and Lima Sopoaga have been bracketed as fly-half cover, with a decision to be made on Friday.

New Zealand: 

15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith,

8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden/Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown