Beauden Barrett starts as New Zealand name side for Australia

Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half for New Zealand in their Rugby Championship opener against Australia on Saturday.

The Hurricanes No 10 is preferred to Aaron Cruden, who started the first two Test against Wales earlier this summer but has to make do with a place on the bench.

The All Blacks are without several injured players for the Bledisloe Cup clash, live on Sky Sports, as Sonny Bill WIlliams, George Moala and Joe Moody all miss out.

Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa start in midfield, while Nathan Harris was due to start in Dane Coles' place at hooker but instead misses out after injuring his ACL tendon in training on Thursday.

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The knee problem - it has not been specified it is his left or right - means Codie Taylor steps in, with Coles promoted back to the bench despite still not being fully recovered from a rib knock.

Wyatt Crockett is named at loosehead prop and another prop, Kane Hames, could make his debut as a replacement.

Hansen said: "This will be another stepping stone in the re-establishment of this group on the international stage and we know that Australia will throw everything at us, which is what test rugby is all about.

"With more than 800 Test caps of experience in our matchday 23, I'm confident we have the experience to deal with the challenge.

"We're all really excited about this first Rugby Championship Test match. It's against one of our most respected rivals and the Championship itself is one of the best competitions in the world. It produces an exciting brand of rugby and world-class players, which both teams have.

"We're also playing for the Bledisloe Cup which, after the Rugby World Cup, is probably the most important trophy we play for. Both teams will be desperate to get their hands on it which will create added pressure. It's about embracing that pressure and taking it on."

New Zealand:  15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (c).

Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 T.J. Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Julian Savea.