Dominic Bird will become the tallest All Black when he makes his debut against Japan in Saturday's test in Tokyo.
Bird's part of a re-jigged pack which has skipper Richie McCaw at number 8 for just the second time in his illustrious career, allowing Sam Cane to start at openside.
In the backs, Tawera Kerr-Barlow gets his first start after 10 tests from the bench and Frank Halai makes his debut on the right wing, though he'll wear the left wing's number 11 jersey.
On the bench Luke Whitelock and Jef Toomaga-Allen will be hoping to debut in a match which for Bird, has been a long time coming.
The towering lock was due to feature against France in June until a chest injury ruled him out.
"It was definitely gutting. A lot of people were gutted with me and a lot of people were also telling me 'hey it's only one setback, there's long career ahead'," he says.
At 2.06m, Bird's the tallest ever All Black lock as he's a centimetre taller than Mark Cooksley.
Bird shades teammate Sam Whitelock by four centimetres but towers above World Cup winner Brad Thorn who was a 1.95m.
Coach Steve Hansen says having height like Bird's and the 2.04 tall Brodie Retallick has allowed the All Blacks to attack in the lineout.
"We're leading the stats in turnover lineouts from opposition in the SANZAR competition which is an indication that the extra height's helping us and the speed because not only are they tall, they're actually quite athletic," he says.
Bird's not the only player who's had to be patient as Kerr-Barlow has waited almost a year to get his first start having played 11 tests from the bench.
"I'm pretty nervous. I'm a nervous bloke even when I play club rugby matches when I get the opportunity, but it's a fantastic opportunity and I'll just try and go out there and do my job," he says.
He's the ninth halfback veteran first-five Dan Carter will get advice from.
"As typical number nines they're not shy of telling you things you need to work on to make them look better," Carter says.
In his first test against Japan Carter's hoping for better luck after a year blighted by injuries.
3 News
source: newshub archive
