Having already sewn up the three Test series with consecutive victories in Auckland and Wellington, Hansen has given Dixon his chance ahead of Jerome Kaino on the side of the scrum. Uncapped prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and loose forward Liam Squire are also named on the bench.
Squire comes into the matchday 23 for Ardie Savea who scored a stunning try as a replacement last weekend against Wales. Prop Charlie Faumuina replaces Owen Franks in the number three jersey, with 24-year-old Tu’ungafasi coming into the 23.
Hansen has raised a few eyebrows with the selection of George Moala in midfield – he will play outside Beauden Barrett who replaces the injured Aaron Cruden at fly half while Julian Savea returns to the wing at the expense of Waisake Naholo who drops down to the bench.
In other changes to the matchday 23, Codie Taylor has been named at replacement hooker, Luke Romano comes in as lock cover and Tawera Kerr-Barlow is the replacement halfback.
Second row Brodie Retallick and scrum half Aaron Smith will play their 50th Tests for the All Blacks. The pair made their Test debuts in the same Test, against Ireland in June 2012.
“With the Series won, it came down to risk and reward and we felt the rewards of seeing these new players in the Test arena, after watching them for three weeks on the training pitch, outweighed any risks. It’ll be exciting to see these new players making their mark for the first time in the black jersey,” explained Hansen.
“That said, we’re expecting another brutal Test match, with the expectation that Wales will again chuck the kitchen sink at us. We’ve seen over the last two Tests that they’re a very good side who play physical, combative and innovative rugby. Our own expectations are as high as ever and we’ll be looking for continued improvement right across our game.”
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Ben Smith 13 George Moala 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody 2 Dane Coles 3 Charlie Faumuina 4 Brodie Retallick 5 Sam Whitelock 6 Elliot Dixon 7 Sam Cane 8 Kieran Read (Capt)
Replacments: 16 Codie Taylor 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi 19 Luke Romano 20 Liam Squire 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow (20) 22 Lima Sopoaga (1) 23 Waisake Naholo
