Ardie Savea will start at blindside flanker in a back-row trio alongside skipper Kieran Read and Sam Cane for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth on Saturday night.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has opted to trial Savea on the side of the scrum instead of Read, who was previously rumoured to be the one to make the shift.
It is certainly a change in strategy from New Zealand, but the lack of a regular No. 6 and Savea's outstanding Super Rugby form had virtually taken the decision out of the selectors' hands.
There are further changes to the pack with Scott Barrett named as a replacement for the injured Brodie Retallick while Dane Coles has been given the nod at hooker ahead of the Codie Taylor.
The twin-playmaker combination of Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett has been retained as expected while Aaron Smith starts in place of TJ Perenara at scrum-half.
Anton Lienert-Brown completes the changes from the team that drew 16-all with the Springboks in Wellington a fortnight ago, the Chiefs centre replacing Sonny Bill Williams at No. 12.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Replacements: Codie Taylor, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, George Bridge