Aaron Smith is looking to prove himself against France © Getty Images

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Matches: New Zealand 23 - 13 France

Aaron Smith will look to put behind him his patchy Super Rugby form when he gets first shot in the All Blacks No.9 jersey this year.

The incumbent during his debut international season in 2012, Smith retains the starting spot for the opening Test against France in Auckland on Saturday. He's been relishing the situation this week of coming into camp, and being able to concentrate on his job within the team. "It also helps when you've got the best in the world around you," he said. "I can really focus on nailing my role, getting that clarity on what I want to do and then being able to go out there and really attack."

Smith's slick passing and sharp running elevated him from being an understudy at the Highlanders into the All Blacks team 12 months ago, and he ended the year with 13 caps. But just as the Highlanders have struggled this season, so have Smith's fortunes slipped. In the find round for New Zealand teams before the June Test window, he had to be content with coming off the bench in the win over the Blues.

"It's been a bit of a tough year," he said, citing the absence of consistency in his game as the biggest issue. "It's sort of putting out a happy performance one week and a pear-shaped one the next."

As well as the buzz of being back with the All Blacks, Smith is looking forward to linking up with Manawatu team-mate Aaron Cruden, who takes over at first five-eighth from the injured Dan Carter. "Obviously, just knowing his voice is pretty good," Smith said Cruden. "Just the way I've seen him grow as well, the way he dominates the game now a bit more, not just by running it up a lot but by making the right decisions of when to pass or kick."

New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Messam; Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Ben Afeaki, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Rene Ranger.

France: Yoann Huget; Adrien Plante, Florian Fritz, Wesley Fontana, Maxime Medard; Camille Lopez, Maxime Machenaud; Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Thierry Dusatoir (captain); Yoann Maestri, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Luc Ducalcon, Dimitri Szarzewski, Thomas Domingo. Replacements: Guilhem Guirado, Vincent Debaty, Daniel Kotze, Alexandre Flanquart, Yannick Nyanga, Jean Marc Doussain, Frederic Michalak, Maxime Mermoz.