New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the Rugby Championship test against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday in one of four changes to the starting 15 from the All Blacks' record defeat by South Africa.

Lock Barrett has been struck down by a shoulder injury and replaced by Fabian Holland but the skipper is expected to be available for the final Rugby Championship test against Australia in Perth, New Zealand Rugby said on Thursday.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has declined to swing the axe freely after the dramatic 43-10 loss to the Springboks at Wellington, the heaviest test defeat in the nation's history.

However, veteran hooker Codie Taylor has been restored to the front row after going through concussion protocols while seasoned lock Patrick Tuipulotu takes a sp

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