The All Blacks' vast injury woes have worsened just two days out from the Bledisloe Cup, with returned playmaker Richie Mo'unga ruled out of the two-Test series with a calf injury.
New Zealand Rugby on Thursday morning confirmed Mo'unga had been scratched alongside winger Fehi Fineanganofo, after the fly-half pulled up lame at training on Tuesday.
Scans later revealed a calf tear and he has since joined first-choice No. 10 Ruben Love on the sidelines.
That extensive injury list also includes skipper Ardie Savea and his back-row teammate Luke Jacobson, while Patrick Tuipulotu, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ollie Norris and Billy Proctor are also unavailable for the series.
With his two main playmakers out, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has turned to Damian McKenzie at No. 10, with veteran Beauden Barrett drafted in at fullback to cover the Chiefs utility's switch.
Josh Jacomb was the other option at No. 10, but Rennie has instead opted for the experience of McKenzie and Barrett as the All Blacks face the greatest Test of their 40-year Eden Park strangehold of the Wallabies.
Mo'unga was a late callup to to the All Blacks' tour of South Africa, but had to wait until the final Test in the United States for his opportunity after Love finally succumbed to an ankle niggle that had been plaguing him for much of the season.
Love has since been ruled out for the remainder of the year.
Elsewhere, Rennie has welcomed back Quinn Tupaea in the midfield after he missed the final RGR Test in Baltimore, the Chiefs centre lining up alongside Jordie Barrett.
And the Barrett trio has been reformed for the first time in 2026, with former skipper Scott Barrett to make his long-awaited return from injury in the second-row alongside Josh Lord, with Tupou Vaa'i named at No. 6 in a back-row that also features Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi.
The Wallabies are riding a six-Test unbeaten run, while Les Kiss is undefeated through his first five games in charge. Australia will name their squad later on Thursday.
All Blacks squad to face Wallabies
Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor [C], Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Josh Moorby.