The Highlander has been named on the bench in one of three changes to the line-up that beat France 31-27 at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium last weekend.
Head coach Scott Robertson says he wants the All Blacks to continue to back their skills in the second test against France this weekend after making two enforced changes to his starting side for the Wellington clash.
Tavatavanawai, who left Fiji at the age of 16 to pursue his rugby dreams in New Zealand, has been named ahead of Quinn Tupaea as cover for the centre partnership of Billy Proctor and Jordie Barrett.
The 27-year-old earned his chance with a brilliant Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year in which he was a constant threat to the opposition with power, pace and a strong presence over the ball at the breakdown.
"He's pretty much like another number seven over that ball," said All Black loose forward Tupou Vaa'i.
"He is such a good ball carrier, he's obviously a leader as well. He doesn't say much but he leads with his actions and it's awesome to see him get his opportunity.
"It's always good to have him on your team because you don't have to tackle him."
The experienced Patrick Tuipulotu has been named in the second row in place of captain Scott Barrett, who has been ruled out of the rest of the series by a calf tear, while Caleb Clarke comes into the side for Sevu Reece.
Winger Reece was concussed last Saturday when the All Blacks edged a weakened France team to live up to their reputation as slow starters to the international season.
Even though a wet and windy day is forecast for Saturday, Robertson said he wanted the All Blacks to continue to try to create all over the pitch at Wellington Regional Stadium.
"You play fast, you think fast, you adapt fast, and we've got the skill set to do it," he told reporters today.
"So we'll keep creating and if the southerly comes in off the Cook Strait, we'll adapt and play into the wind and the rain as well. But our intention is to use our skills as much as we can."
Ardie Savea steps up from vice-captain to skipper the team in his home city and is likely to retain the role for the final test in Hamilton on July 19.
The French are missing most of their regular starters but Robertson said the All Blacks had definitely not underestimated them - even if the media had.
"They're very, very consistent, and I think the narrative's changed a little bit around what team they brought.
"They've brought a team that has quality enough on the day, so it's test match football on the weekend."
The Wellington match is part of a double-header, beginning with the Black Ferns taking on Australia at 4.30pm.
France make 10 changes
France coach Fabien Galthie has made 10 changes to his starting line-up today naming six debutants in the match-day squad, four of whom will start.
Pierre Bochaton earns his first cap in the back row while an entirely uncapped second row pairing of Matthias Halagahu and Joshua Brennan also take the field.
Baptiste Erdocio is set to make his debut as prop, while Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer and Thibault Daubagna will hope to do so off the bench.
Only five players will play a second match in a row after the narrow loss in Dunedin.
Fullback Theo Attissogbe and centre Emilien Gailleton have been moved to the wings with first five-eighth Joris Segonds, halfback Nolann Le Garrec and hooker Gaetan Barlot, who will replace Gael Fickou as captain, retaining their positions.
Four of the five Top 14 finalists unavailable for the first test will start, with only Vergnes-Taillefer on the bench.
All Blacks v France
Wellington Regional Stadium
Kickoff: Saturday, 7.05pm
All Blacks
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Rieko Ioane, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Damian McKenzie
France
1. Baptiste Erdocio. 2. Gaetan Barlot (c) 3. Georges-Henri Colombe, 4. Joshua Brennan, 5. Matthias Halagahu, 6. Pierre Bochaton, 7. Jacobus van Tonder, 8. Esteban Abadie, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Joris Segonds, 11. Emilien Gailleton, 12. Pierre-Louis Barassi, 13. Nicolas Depoortere, 14. Theo Attissogbe, 15. Leo Barre
Reserves
16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 22. Thibault Daubagna, 23. Antoine Hastoy
