World Cup finalists New Zealand embark on a new journey under Scott Robertson in Dunedin on Saturday when they face an English side sensing a rare chance to beat the rebuilding All Blacks in their own backyard.
Much has changed since the World Cup decider last October, when Ian Foster’s team finished one point behind South Africa and a host of greats ended their Test careers.
One constant, however, is that Robertson, as the new coach of New Zealand’s most popular team, is under intense scrutiny.
While rival rugby nations occasionally change their head coaches, Robertson is only the All Blacks’ fourth head coach in the last 20 years and the first without any experience as a coach at senior international level.
He will be under pressure to keep the fun going, even if the near-exit from the World Cup was a disappointment by the high standards of some home fans.
Robertson has already caused a stir by appointing centre-back Scott Barrett as coach of the post-Sam Cane era and relegating striker and Rugby World Cup winner Ardie Savea to the role of vice-captain.
Robertson’s first matchday squad, announced on Thursday, represented a decisive break with the past: 33-year-old Beauden Barrett, one of the country’s most assured players, was benched in favour of three-time full-back Stephen Perofeta.
“He took it like a true professional,” Robertson said of Barrett’s demotion.
“He covers multiple positions and can step in at any time, so he’s been great.”
Only twelve players remain from the squad that almost won its country’s fourth World Cup in France.
Injuries and departures gave several players the chance to secure a starting spot, including link Damian McKenzie and Dalton Papali’i, who replaces Cane as open-side flanker.
Waikato Chiefs flanker Samipeni Finau gets a second Test match when he starts at blindside, while TJ Perenara replaces Aaron Smith at scrum-half as Cam Roigard recovers from a knee problem.
England will hope to thwart Robertson’s best-laid plans over the course of the two Test series, although that seems unlikely given the team’s record in this country.
Since a 15-13 win in Wellington in 2003, England have lost all seven Tests on their last three tours.
Nevertheless, there is great optimism in Steve Borthwick’s team, just months after the team was plunged into crisis by a weak loss to Scotland in the Six Nations tournament.
The World Cup semi-finalists bring a fresh attacking mentality with them. Marcus Smith remains in the team as a link, buoyed by a big warm-up win against Japan and his former coach Eddie Jones in Tokyo.
The covered Forsyth Barr Stadium is ideal for running rugby and England will be hoping for a quick start against a team that may be rusty in its opening matches after a long international break.