SMITH STAYS: The All Blacks have made seven changes to their starting XV chasing the perfect test year against Ireland.

The All Blacks have made seven changes to their starting XV chasing the perfect test year in Dublin on Monday morning (NZ time).

And coach Steve Hansen admitted he was mighty tempted to make an eighth to the side to play Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

As it is, Hansen has brought in as many fresh legs and keen minds as he dared for the Sunday afternoon season finale in the Irish capital (kickoff 3am Monday, NZ time).

He has an entirely new front row, with Wyatt Crockett replacing the injured Tony Woodcock (hamstring) at loosehead prop, Andrew Hore getting the nod for what is presumed to be his test farewell at hooker, and Charlie Faumuina swapping out with Owen Franks on the tighthead side.

Crockett and Faumuina have both played well in their roles off the bench against England and France, and should still provide the All Blacks with the foundation they need up front.

Hore, in his 83rd test appearance, will relish what's expected to be one last battle in the international arena, especially with so much riding on the outcome as the All Blacks look to complete an unprecedented perfect 14-win test season.

In the second row, Canterbury's Luke Romano gets his chance after 15 minutes off the bench at Twickenham following a long spell out with a serious groin injury. The in-form Brodie Retallick drops to the bench, but his powerhouse presence will be a nice insurance policy for Hansen.

The fifth tweak to the pack is in the loose trio where outrageously talented young Aucklander Steven Luatua gets another chance to express himself in the No 6 jersey, with Liam Messam earning a well-deserved weekend off.

Hansen has been a little more circumspect in the backs, making just the two changes. Aaron Cruden slots in, as he does, for the crocked Dan Carter (Achilles), while the 44-test Cory Jane gets his second start of the tour on the right wing, with exciting rookie Charles Piutau handed a rest to close out the season.

Hansen admitted he was considered giving stand-in centre Ben Smith a break, but is asking for one more big effort from the Otago workhorse who's started every test and played all but 49 minutes of those contests.

"The temptation was to give Ben a rest," Hansen said at the team's hotel today.

"He's had a massive season. Luckily we had an extra day this week and I think that has helped. He's excited about what he's doing and where he's come from, and I think he's got one more in him."

Hansen felt it had been more important to spell Piutau after the 22-year-old rookie had started four straight tests since the third Bledisloe Cup match in Dunedin.

"He's young, and if you look at the history with our young guys we've usually only given them a couple of big games and then let them step out and unfrazzle their heads and have a bit of a mental break," the coach said.

"We just think it's time to give him a wee breather, CJ is fit and raring to go and Julian's got improvement in his game too."

Hansen said the five changes in the pack were a reflection of the massive physical battles - not just of the previous two weeks, but the entire season.

"In the last nine weeks, we've gone round the world twice, and this will be our seventh test in nine weeks," he said.

"We've had a big, physical game against Argentina, another physical performance in Johannesburg, a lot of running and chasing in Dunedin, then France was physical and England was physical.

"It's just the accumulation of a lot of travel and game-time. We need fresh legs and we've got ability sitting there fresh, so why not use them?"

There's also a potential test debut off the bench for 21-year-old Wellington halfback TJ Perenara - one of eight All Blacks Hansen will have in the Barbarians team he's coaching against Fiji at Twickenham on November 30.

Hansen's changes should serve the purpose. He's made them in positions where the All Blacks have genuine depth, and kept the hardened backbone of the team intact.

It's the last test of a long year and he needs some urgency and enthusiasm, even though it's against a side the All Blacks have never lost to.

They would hate to create the wrong sort of history in Dublin, right when they're on the cusp of something special with professional rugby's first perfect test year.

The changes should ensure focus is sharp and fatigue a non-factor.

All they have to take care of now is an Irish side with their own motivations as legendary centre Brian O'Driscoll plays his final test against the All Blacks.

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Steven Luatua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Charlie Faumuina, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ryan Crotty.