Fainga'anuku to make All Blacks debut, Barrett a surprise inclusion at flank

Powerhouse wing Leicester Fainga'anuku will make his All Blacks debut after being named on Thursday in the side to start against Ireland in the first Test as Covid struck down another New Zealand coach.

All Blacks scrum guru Greg Feek was confirmed as the fourth member of the coaching staff to test positive for Covid-19 ahead of Saturday's series opener at Auckland's Eden Park.

Crusaders standout Fainga'anuku will start on the left wing while another uncapped Pacific Islands-born player, bruising Chiefs forward Pita Gus Sowakula, is on the bench.

Head coach Ian Foster, who tested positive earlier in the week along with assistants John Plumtree and Scott McLeod, conceded the disrupted build-up had not been ideal.

"Clearly it's been intriguing but it is what it is," Foster said as he named his side to face Ireland via video link, adding he should be clear to rejoin the team on Saturday if his Covid recovery goes to plan.

"Quite frankly we've got used to (Covid disruption) for the last couple of years but this is a bit of a unique week for us.

"We're excited with the team we're putting out there and it doesn't change that there's a statement that we want to make on the first Test of the year."

One surprise in the All Blacks side was the selection of lock Scott Barrett at blindside flanker, although Foster said that was forced to a degree by injury niggles to Akira Ioane and Dalton Papalii.

Barrett's last start in the unfamiliar role came in the 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to England.

He was replaced at half-time, leading to widespread criticism of the coaching team for a tactical selection blunder.

"I don't spend too long thinking about the 2019 game," Foster said.

"This one, we're very clear about the strategy. We've talked to