Decorated flyhalf Beauden Barrett was once again omitted as New Zealand announced four starting changes on Thursday for the Nations Championship test against Ireland in Auckland.
Coach Dave Rennie said it was "tempting" to select 144-test veteran Barrett for the first time this year but instead preferred the inexperienced Ruben Love in the number 10 jersey for Saturday's match at Eden Park.
The 35-year-old Barrett, one of the team's most high-profile performers for more than a decade, is among just three players from the 34-strong New Zealand squad who have yet to be selected this year.
As with the test wins over France and Italy, Love and fullback Damian McKenzie – who has played numerous tests at fly-half – will be employed as twin playmakers.
"We're keen to keep those combinations going," Rennie told reporters on Thursday.
"We're not saying that's the way it's going to be for the rest of the year, Beauden's certainly going to get his opportunity.
"While it was tempting to throw him in, we're keen to give the young fella another crack."
TWO CHANGES TO FORWARDS
There are two changes to the forwards who started last week's 47-17 win over Italy and one key positional switch, with lock Tupou Vaa'i shifting to blindside flanker.
The 26-year-old played a handful of tests on the side of the scrum under Rennie's predecessor Scott Roberton to give the pack extra size.
Rennie admitted he had adopted the same methodology.
"It's a big pack for us. We're well aware of the importance of set-piece.
"Ireland are very good and very disciplined. They'll put you in the corner and they'll hurt you down there. So we've picked a pack that we think can compete and hopefully give us an edge."
Flanker Wallace Sititi is omitted while other changes up front see the introduction of Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu at lock, with Sam Darry making way.
In the backline, centre Billy Proctor and wing Leroy Carter are dropped, replaced by Quinn Tupaea and Josh Moorby, respectively.
It will be the first test start for Moorby, who made an impressive debut off the bench against Italy.
Moorby scored a Super Rugby joint record 17 tries for the Hurricanes as they lifted the 2026 title.
"Josh has been excellent all year, and for him to come on quite early last week and play with that sort of confidence was awesome," Rennie said.
"It gives us a lot of confidence to throw him out there."
Rennie is anticipating a major challenge from Ireland, with both teams having won their two opening matches in the inaugural inter-hemisphere Nations Championship.
New Zealand (15-1):
Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (capt), Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa'i; Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke