Coltman, Frizell get call-up against Canada

Just two Highlanders have been named in the All Blacks starting side to face Canada at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

They are hooker Liam Coltman and flanker Shannon Frizell. Ben Smith again makes the reserves as outside back cover for the match in Oita on Wednesday.

Coach Steve Hansen's selection today sees Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett becoming the first trio of brothers to appear for the All Blacks in a World Cup match.

They will also be the first trio of brothers to start in the same World Cup match since Elisi, Manu and Fe'ao Vunipola represented Tonga against Scotland in 1995.

The three Pisi brothers - Ken, Tusi and George - all played for Samoa against South Africa in 2015 but only Ken started that game.

Beauden will start at fullback in a surprising selection, given Hansen had hinted before the tournament that he might rotate the two-times World Player of the year with Richie Mo'unga at first five-eighth during the pool matches.

Hansen has preferred Barrett and Mo'unga to operate in tandem as dual playmakers, but the pair are the only first fives in the squad and Hansen had said he would use utility backs in his side to cover if one got injured in pool games.

The All Blacks, who have won the World Cup three times, are projected to win Pool B having beaten the other major contender South Africa in their opening game in Yokohama on September 21.

They had a long lay-off between the Springboks match and the game against Canada, and next face Namibia in Tokyo on Sunday before playing Italy in Toyota City on October 12.

Jack Goodhue has returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out for almost two months and will link with Sonny Bill Williams in the midfield.

Hansen also shook up his back three combination with Rieko Ioane selected on the left wing after being dropped for George Bridge in the Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Auckland last month.

Ioane, who has scored 23 tries in 26 tests, has been battling for form this year and was given the chance to prove he can challenge for a position in the big games.

"We are looking forward to the contest with Canada," Hansen said today. "Our aim is to win the next two Pool matches against Canada and Namibia, as well as continuing to grow our game and manage the workload across the group.

"With two games four days apart, it's obvious that we need to use our whole squad.

"Whilst there's a huge amount of energy and excitement amongst the whole team about what lies ahead, this week there has been a real focus on ourselves and our own standards."

Props Atu Moli and Angus Ta'avao and hooker Liam Coltman make up the front row, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Scott Barrett starting as locks with impact off the bench in the form of Samuel Whitelock.

The Pool B game in Otia kicks off at 11.15pm (NZ time).

All Blacks team to face Canada (Test caps in brackets):

1: Atu Moli (2), 2: Liam Coltman (6), 3: Angus Ta’avao (9), 4: Patrick Tuipulotu (26), 5: Scott Barrett (32), 6: Shannon Frizell (6), 7:Matt Todd (21), 8: Kieran Read - captain (123),  9: TJ Perenara (60), 10: Richie Mo’unga (13), 11: Rieko Ioane (26), 12: Sonny Bill Williams (54), 13: Jack Goodhue (9), 14: Jordie Barrett (12), 15: Beauden Barrett (79).

Reserves

16: Codie Taylor (46), 17: Ofa Tuungafasi (31), 18: Nepo Laulala (21), 19: Samuel Whitelock (113), 20: Ardie Savea (40), 21: Brad Weber (2), 22: Ryan Crotty (46), 23: Ben Smith (81).

- Reuters and ODT Online