Lions test match

Fit-again Read and Ioane to start against Lions

Read has not played since April due a broken thumb, but the All Blacks skipper has recovered in time to feature against Warren Gatland's men in Auckland.

Ardie Savea drops to the bench to accommodate Read at number eight, while Ioane gets his first start on the left wing as Julian Savea misses out completely.

Centre Ryan Crotty also returns from injury to take his place in Steve Hansen's team, so Anton Lienert-Brown is among the replacements for the opening Test of three.

O'Mahony to captain Lions, Farrell starts ahead of Sexton

Tour captain Sam Warburton skippered the Lions in the first two Tests against Australia in 2013 before injury ruled him out of the decisive third match. 

And the Wales flanker, who has carried a knee injury into the tour, must make do with a place among the substitutes against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

In his absence, Ireland's O'Mahony has secured the prestigious honour of leading the tourists versus the reigning world champions.

Crotty to miss Crusaders game against Lions

The 28-year-old Crotty, who was expected to be named in Steve Hansen's All Blacks squad for the three-test series on Thursday, suffered rib cartilage damage in the Crusaders' 25-22 win over the Highlanders on Saturday.

Initial assessments suggested he could be out for at least two weeks but the Crusaders' assistant coach Jason Ryan said they needed to check a scan before they could determine the extent of the injury.

"It will be a case-by-case thing," Ryan said. "Cartilages can be pretty niggly, especially when you are sneezing or coughing.