Manawatu Turbo Aaron Smith has been named as the starting half-back on debut against Ireland this Saturday at Eden Park

Aaron Smith will earn his first test cap tomorrow starting at half-back, with fellow Manawatu Turbo Aaron Cruden named on the bench.

It's a daunting task for any young player to comes straight into the All Blacks' starting team but Aaron Smith, talking with David Long from Fairfax NZ News, has said that he has been helped by the experienced players in the squad, who have spent time passing on their knowledge.

"There are a lot of senior guys around me and they've been really good this week," said halfback Aaron Smith.

"I've got to know the tendencies they have and I've really enjoyed that, having Dan [Carter] outside me and working with other guys who've been in this environment has been really good.

"The confidence the forwards have given me has been really good and there was real clarity at the start of the week.

"It's still sinking in that it's happening, when I'm running out in the starting line up it will be pretty amazing."

Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks in 24 attempts, with the closest they have come to the elusive win being a 10-10 draw in 1973

All Blacks Team vs. Ireland

Kick-Off: 7:35 pm (19:35)

Date: 9th June 2012

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Victor Vito, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.