As expected, McKenzie has replaced the injured Beauden Barrett in one of two enforced changes from the side that beat England at Twickenham last weekend.
With Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor sidelined by respective head injuries, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has also promoted Asafo Aumua from the bench.
The electric Will Jordan continues in an unchanged back-three with wingers with Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke, while Leinster-bound Jordie Barrett renews his settled midfield partnership with Rieko Ioane.
McKenzie, who started the majority of New Zealand’s Rugby Championship games in the No 10 shirt, will link up with scrum-half Cortez Ratima.
Ethan de Groot is again left out, so Tamaiti Williams is at loosehead, as he packs down with the powerful Aumua and the canny Tyrel Lomax.
Scott Barrett captains the side from the second-row with Tupou Vaa’i, while 22-year-old sensation Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea make up the back-row.
Robertson will be able to call upon forward replacements George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu and Samipeni Finau, with Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown and Stephen Perofeta providing back-line cover.
“This is a highly anticipated match that promises to bring all the intensity and passion that we have come to expect from these two rugby-mad nations, both on and off the field,” Robertson said. “We are really pleased with how the squad has come through this week and our focus has turned quickly to this encounter post-England. We have trained well, and the players are fresh and ready to face a fierce challenge from the Ireland team.”
New Zealand team to play Ireland on Friday – W Jordan; M Tele’a, R Ioane, J Barrett, C Clarke; D McKenzie, C Ratima; T Williams, A Aumua, T Lomax; S Barrett (capt), T Vaa’i; W Sititi, S Cane, A Savea. Reps: G Bell, O Tu’ungafasi, P Tosi, P Tuipulotu, S Finau, C Roigard, A Linert-Brown, S Perofeta.
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