Steve Hansen has ignored mounting calls for Richie Mo'unga to start at five-eighth for the All Blacks in naming a heavily-changed to team to face Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Coach Hansen has made 11 changes to the starting team toppled 16-9 by Ireland in Dublin last week but has chosen to persist with Beauden Barrett at five-eighth and Damian McKenzie at fullback. McKenzie's lack of impact against the Irish sparked calls for veteran Ben Smith to be shifted from wing to his favoured fullback spot.
However, Smith is among a host of first-choice players rested for the world champions' last Test of 2018.
Brilliant Crusaders playmaker Mo'unga remains on the bench, with Barrett retained at No.10 despite failing to fire in the narrow win over England and seven-point loss to Ireland. In both Tests, the All Blacks looked more fluent when Mo'unga was introduced late and Barrett was shifted to a wider role against tiring defences.
However, Hansen indicated Mo'unga is shaping as an impact player at next year's Rugby World Cup.
"That's the three guys that we see at the moment that would most likely go to the World Cup, so getting those three guys combining, either at the beginning of the game or during the course of the game is important," Hansen said.
"We haven't got too many games left so the more we play them together, the better it will be."
The two other retained starters are captain Kieran Read and fellow-loose forward Ardie Savea.
Six players from last week's reserve bench are promoted to start, including the entire front row. Prop Nepo Laulala and hooker Dane Coles will start, both finishing seasons ruined by injury on what they hope is a high note.
Jordie Barrett's ninth Test appearance will be his first as a starting winger. The regular fullback is on the right wing while Waisake Naholo is recalled in a less familiar role on the left wing.
"After two big Tests, it's been necessary to make some changes and those guys who have come in have provided a real energy and enthusiasm to our week's preparation," Hansen said.
Italy have dropped to 14th on the world rankings, below the United States, and aren't expected to trouble the world champions.
In 13 Test wins out of 13, the average score for the All Blacks against the Azzurri is 58-10. They won 68-10 in their most recent clash in Rome two years ago.
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Res: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali'i, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Richie Mo'unga, Rieko Ioane.