TOKYO, 17 Oct - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has kept the in-form centre pairing of Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown in place for Saturday's quarter-final against Ireland in Tokyo.

Goodhue, above, missed the All Blacks' opening match against South Africa as he struggled to shake off a hamstring injury picked up in New Zealand's 47-26 defeat by Australia in August, but impressed in the victories over Canada and Namibia and keeps his place alongside Lienert-Brown for the last-eight showdown.

Amid intense competition for the midfield roles, Ryan Crotty, who started at inside-centre against the Springboks, is left out of the matchday 23 altogether, with Hansen opting to use Sonny Bill Williams as an impact player off the bench. 

Brodie Retallick, unavailable for selection in the opener due to injury, starts alongside Sam Whitelock in the second row for an All Blacks record 53rd time, while Codie Taylor replaces Dane Coles at hooker - Coles has been struggling with a recurrence of a hamstring strain.

In a starting XV which shows three changes from the last match against Namibia, Beauden Barrett has been passed fit to take his place at full-back in place of Ben Smith, Richie Mo'unga replaces Jordie Barrett at fly-half alongside scrum-half Aaron Smith, and Kieran Read returns to captain the side in his 125th test match.

New Zealand

1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Ardie Savea
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read (capt.)
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. George Bridge
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Sevu Reece
15. Beauden Barrett

16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tuungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Scott Barrett
20. Matt Todd
21. TJ Perenara
22. Sonny Bill Williams
23. Jordie Barrett

RNS ic/rl