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Scrum-half Aaron Smith, hailed as the standout find for the All Blacks this year, has been dropped to the bench for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Dunedin.
The 62-Test veteran Piri Weepu has instead been given his first starting role of the year.
The dropping of Smith is one of four changes to the All Blacks side which beat Argentina 21-5 last week.
Lock Sam Whitelock, flanker Liam Messam and hooker Andrew Hore all earn a start.