RNZ reports Savea has been named on the bench for Saturday night's match in Wellington, with Jason Woodward preferred to start on the left wing.
Woodward moves from centre, with Matt Proctor returning to start after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Props Loni Uhila and Ben May come into the front row.
Uhila starts at loosehead prop in place of Reggie Goodes, who was unavailable for selection after leaving the field with concussion during the final match of the regular season against the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend.