A penny for All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's thoughts as he cast his eye over the teams for Saturday's round one Super Rugby grand final rematch

Both of the players he used at 10 last year - Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie - will start at fullback for the Blues and Chiefs respectively at Eden Park.

The duo accommodate Harry Plummer at 10 for the home side and All Blacks XV playmaker Josh Jacomb for the Chiefs.



Peter Lakai has been squeezed to the Hurricanes' bench for the competition opener against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The two-test All Black will act as cover with Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brayden Iose forming the starting loose forward trio.

Assistant coach Bryn Evans says it's a horses-for-courses selection.



No fewer than 13 players have been named for Super Rugby debuts across the six New Zealand based franchises, including 19-year-old hooker Manumaua Letiu who will come off the Crusaders bench.

Letiu was told by Crusaders forwards coach Dan Perrin about his elevation with the absences of Codie Taylor and George Bell through injury.





Elsewhere, the Highlanders will face Wallaby Joseph Aukuso-Sua'ali'i at fullback in his Waratahs debut on Friday night.

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