It's the best team he could put out. Of the 23 the only change I'd make is Cokanasiga for Joseph on the bench but that's a very tight decision so I don't think he's wrong.
I agree that Ford is playing well but the centre pairing he's gone with is a better balance so he was left with a choice to make at 10 and has gone with the reliability and game management of Farrell, who hasn't really let him down often. Before his injury Slade was our best back and probably the best 13 in the world so I think the plan was always going to be about getting him fit and into the side for the big games.
In other games the SA team for Japan shows they're not taking it lightly and I'd love to know how Rob Kearney is getting a start, he's looked past it for a year now and I can see NZ exploiting that.