The Eden Park test will give McKenzie another opportunity at first five, as just the 11th time in his 81-test career he’s been selected to wear the 10 jersey.
Barrett will also have to cover No 10, after Josh Jacomb – the only other specialist first five in the squad – was not named in the matchday 23 for a test debut.
Elsewhere, Scott Barrett will make his first test appearance of the year in the starting side, after being named to partner Josh Lord at lock.
The 32-year-old has been sidelined with a back injury for most of the year, after also taking a non-playing sabbatical during Super Rugby Pacific.
After making his comeback for Taranaki in the NPC, Barrett has just over 90 minutes’ worth of rugby under his belt but has done enough to convince Rennie he deserves to start ahead of Fabian Holland, who does not make the match-day 23, while Tupou Vaa’i continues at No 6.
Saturday will also mark Barrett’s first test appearance since losing the All Blacks captaincy following the sacking of Scott Robertson.
With Ardie Savea (shoulder) and Luke Jacobson (elbow) unavailable due to injury, Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi have been selected to complete the loose forward trio alongside Vaa’i.
Shannon Frizell is also in line for his first test appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa.
The 32-year-old had joined Mo’unga at Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus but returned to New Zealand this year to chase a spot at next year’s tournament in Australia.
Quinn Tupaea has been passed fit from a knee injury suffered in South Africa and starts at centre alongside Jordie Barrett, while Rieko Ioane covers the midfield and wing from the bench.
“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this group,” Rennie said. “There’s a lot of history and pride tied up in it, and every test against the Wallabies carries real weight for us.
“We have huge respect for this Australian side and the way they have been playing. We know we’ll need to be at our best.
“We’ve been on the road for the last eight games, so the boys are rapt to be home and really looking forward to running out at Eden Park one last time this year.”
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Josh Moorby
All Blacks unavailable due to injury: Richie Mo’unga (calf); Fehi Fineanganofo (concussion, hamstring); Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee).
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