diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/types.generated.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/types.generated.go
index 0c6360ffde6..c1b20a733f6 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/types.generated.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/types.generated.go
@@ -14609,7 +14609,7 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) CodecEncodeSelf(e *codec1978.Encoder) {
 			_, _, _ = yysep2, yyq2, yy2arr2
 			const yyr2 bool = false
 			yyq2[1] = x.Selector != nil
-			yyq2[2] = x.Template != nil
+			yyq2[2] = true
 			var yynn2 int
 			if yyr2 || yy2arr2 {
 				r.EncodeArrayStart(3)
@@ -14680,11 +14680,8 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) CodecEncodeSelf(e *codec1978.Encoder) {
 			if yyr2 || yy2arr2 {
 				z.EncSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerArrayElem1234)
 				if yyq2[2] {
-					if x.Template == nil {
-						r.EncodeNil()
-					} else {
-						x.Template.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
-					}
+					yy10 := &x.Template
+					yy10.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
 				} else {
 					r.EncodeNil()
 				}
@@ -14693,11 +14690,8 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) CodecEncodeSelf(e *codec1978.Encoder) {
 					z.EncSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerMapKey1234)
 					r.EncodeString(codecSelferC_UTF81234, string("template"))
 					z.EncSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerMapValue1234)
-					if x.Template == nil {
-						r.EncodeNil()
-					} else {
-						x.Template.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
-					}
+					yy12 := &x.Template
+					yy12.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
 				}
 			}
 			if yyr2 || yy2arr2 {
@@ -14786,14 +14780,10 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) codecDecodeSelfFromMap(l int, d *codec1978.Decoder) {
 			}
 		case "template":
 			if r.TryDecodeAsNil() {
-				if x.Template != nil {
-					x.Template = nil
-				}
+				x.Template = pkg2_api.PodTemplateSpec{}
 			} else {
-				if x.Template == nil {
-					x.Template = new(pkg2_api.PodTemplateSpec)
-				}
-				x.Template.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
+				yyv7 := &x.Template
+				yyv7.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
 			}
 		default:
 			z.DecStructFieldNotFound(-1, yys3)
@@ -14864,14 +14854,10 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) codecDecodeSelfFromArray(l int, d *codec1978.Decoder) {
 	}
 	z.DecSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerArrayElem1234)
 	if r.TryDecodeAsNil() {
-		if x.Template != nil {
-			x.Template = nil
-		}
+		x.Template = pkg2_api.PodTemplateSpec{}
 	} else {
-		if x.Template == nil {
-			x.Template = new(pkg2_api.PodTemplateSpec)
-		}
-		x.Template.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
+		yyv12 := &x.Template
+		yyv12.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
 	}
 	for {
 		yyj8++
@@ -18962,7 +18948,7 @@ func (x codecSelfer1234) decSliceReplicaSet(v *[]ReplicaSet, d *codec1978.Decode
 
 			yyrg1 := len(yyv1) > 0
 			yyv21 := yyv1
-			yyrl1, yyrt1 = z.DecInferLen(yyl1, z.DecBasicHandle().MaxInitLen, 232)
+			yyrl1, yyrt1 = z.DecInferLen(yyl1, z.DecBasicHandle().MaxInitLen, 552)
 			if yyrt1 {
 				if yyrl1 <= cap(yyv1) {
 					yyv1 = yyv1[:yyrl1]
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/types.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/types.go
index ce09e26c4e8..ffaa9795978 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/types.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/types.go
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@ type ReplicaSetSpec struct {
 
 	// Template is the object that describes the pod that will be created if
 	// insufficient replicas are detected.
-	Template *api.PodTemplateSpec `json:"template,omitempty"`
+	Template api.PodTemplateSpec `json:"template,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // ReplicaSetStatus represents the current status of a ReplicaSet.
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion.go
index 40108025f6d..5f4841cb431 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion.go
@@ -297,13 +297,9 @@ func Convert_extensions_ReplicaSetSpec_To_v1beta1_ReplicaSetSpec(in *extensions.
 	} else {
 		out.Selector = nil
 	}
-	if in.Template != nil {
-		out.Template = new(v1.PodTemplateSpec)
-		if err := v1.Convert_api_PodTemplateSpec_To_v1_PodTemplateSpec(in.Template, out.Template, s); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		out.Template = nil
+
+	if err := v1.Convert_api_PodTemplateSpec_To_v1_PodTemplateSpec(&in.Template, &out.Template, s); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -323,13 +319,8 @@ func Convert_v1beta1_ReplicaSetSpec_To_extensions_ReplicaSetSpec(in *ReplicaSetS
 	} else {
 		out.Selector = nil
 	}
-	if in.Template != nil {
-		out.Template = new(api.PodTemplateSpec)
-		if err := v1.Convert_v1_PodTemplateSpec_To_api_PodTemplateSpec(in.Template, out.Template, s); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		out.Template = nil
+	if err := v1.Convert_v1_PodTemplateSpec_To_api_PodTemplateSpec(&in.Template, &out.Template, s); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion_generated.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion_generated.go
index a1db7353005..956e9855a82 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion_generated.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/conversion_generated.go
@@ -3599,14 +3599,8 @@ func autoConvert_extensions_ReplicaSetSpec_To_v1beta1_ReplicaSetSpec(in *extensi
 	} else {
 		out.Selector = nil
 	}
-	// unable to generate simple pointer conversion for api.PodTemplateSpec -> v1.PodTemplateSpec
-	if in.Template != nil {
-		out.Template = new(v1.PodTemplateSpec)
-		if err := Convert_api_PodTemplateSpec_To_v1_PodTemplateSpec(in.Template, out.Template, s); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		out.Template = nil
+	if err := Convert_api_PodTemplateSpec_To_v1_PodTemplateSpec(&in.Template, &out.Template, s); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -4848,14 +4842,8 @@ func autoConvert_v1beta1_ReplicaSetSpec_To_extensions_ReplicaSetSpec(in *Replica
 	} else {
 		out.Selector = nil
 	}
-	// unable to generate simple pointer conversion for v1.PodTemplateSpec -> api.PodTemplateSpec
-	if in.Template != nil {
-		out.Template = new(api.PodTemplateSpec)
-		if err := Convert_v1_PodTemplateSpec_To_api_PodTemplateSpec(in.Template, out.Template, s); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		out.Template = nil
+	if err := Convert_v1_PodTemplateSpec_To_api_PodTemplateSpec(&in.Template, &out.Template, s); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/deep_copy_generated.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/deep_copy_generated.go
index b0321374267..2157e2ad5ef 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/deep_copy_generated.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/deep_copy_generated.go
@@ -1738,13 +1738,8 @@ func deepCopy_v1beta1_ReplicaSetSpec(in ReplicaSetSpec, out *ReplicaSetSpec, c *
 	} else {
 		out.Selector = nil
 	}
-	if in.Template != nil {
-		out.Template = new(v1.PodTemplateSpec)
-		if err := deepCopy_v1_PodTemplateSpec(*in.Template, out.Template, c); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		out.Template = nil
+	if err := deepCopy_v1_PodTemplateSpec(in.Template, &out.Template, c); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults.go
index cb197a9652f..5373c23d810 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults.go
@@ -118,10 +118,8 @@ func addDefaultingFuncs(scheme *runtime.Scheme) {
 			}
 		},
 		func(obj *ReplicaSet) {
-			var labels map[string]string
-			if obj.Spec.Template != nil {
-				labels = obj.Spec.Template.Labels
-			}
+			labels := obj.Spec.Template.Labels
+
 			// TODO: support templates defined elsewhere when we support them in the API
 			if labels != nil {
 				if obj.Spec.Selector == nil {
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults_test.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults_test.go
index 85b991980aa..760df336056 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults_test.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/defaults_test.go
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			rs: &ReplicaSet{
 				Spec: ReplicaSetSpec{
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 					},
 				},
 				Spec: ReplicaSetSpec{
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 							"some": "other",
 						},
 					},
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 							"some": "other",
 						},
 					},
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSetReplicas(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			rs: ReplicaSet{
 				Spec: ReplicaSetSpec{
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSetReplicas(t *testing.T) {
 			rs: ReplicaSet{
 				Spec: ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: newInt32(0),
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ func TestSetDefaultReplicaSetReplicas(t *testing.T) {
 			rs: ReplicaSet{
 				Spec: ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: newInt32(3),
-					Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+					Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 						ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 							Labels: map[string]string{
 								"foo": "bar",
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ func TestDefaultRequestIsNotSetForReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 	rs := &ReplicaSet{
 		Spec: ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: newInt32(3),
-			Template: &v1.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: v1.PodTemplateSpec{
 				ObjectMeta: v1.ObjectMeta{
 					Labels: map[string]string{
 						"foo": "bar",
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.generated.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.generated.go
index 11ac78e75ee..86fda0e3046 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.generated.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.generated.go
@@ -15962,7 +15962,7 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) CodecEncodeSelf(e *codec1978.Encoder) {
 			const yyr2 bool = false
 			yyq2[0] = x.Replicas != nil
 			yyq2[1] = x.Selector != nil
-			yyq2[2] = x.Template != nil
+			yyq2[2] = true
 			var yynn2 int
 			if yyr2 || yy2arr2 {
 				r.EncodeArrayStart(3)
@@ -16037,11 +16037,8 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) CodecEncodeSelf(e *codec1978.Encoder) {
 			if yyr2 || yy2arr2 {
 				z.EncSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerArrayElem1234)
 				if yyq2[2] {
-					if x.Template == nil {
-						r.EncodeNil()
-					} else {
-						x.Template.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
-					}
+					yy12 := &x.Template
+					yy12.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
 				} else {
 					r.EncodeNil()
 				}
@@ -16050,11 +16047,8 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) CodecEncodeSelf(e *codec1978.Encoder) {
 					z.EncSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerMapKey1234)
 					r.EncodeString(codecSelferC_UTF81234, string("template"))
 					z.EncSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerMapValue1234)
-					if x.Template == nil {
-						r.EncodeNil()
-					} else {
-						x.Template.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
-					}
+					yy14 := &x.Template
+					yy14.CodecEncodeSelf(e)
 				}
 			}
 			if yyr2 || yy2arr2 {
@@ -16147,14 +16141,10 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) codecDecodeSelfFromMap(l int, d *codec1978.Decoder) {
 			}
 		case "template":
 			if r.TryDecodeAsNil() {
-				if x.Template != nil {
-					x.Template = nil
-				}
+				x.Template = pkg2_v1.PodTemplateSpec{}
 			} else {
-				if x.Template == nil {
-					x.Template = new(pkg2_v1.PodTemplateSpec)
-				}
-				x.Template.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
+				yyv7 := &x.Template
+				yyv7.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
 			}
 		default:
 			z.DecStructFieldNotFound(-1, yys3)
@@ -16229,14 +16219,10 @@ func (x *ReplicaSetSpec) codecDecodeSelfFromArray(l int, d *codec1978.Decoder) {
 	}
 	z.DecSendContainerState(codecSelfer_containerArrayElem1234)
 	if r.TryDecodeAsNil() {
-		if x.Template != nil {
-			x.Template = nil
-		}
+		x.Template = pkg2_v1.PodTemplateSpec{}
 	} else {
-		if x.Template == nil {
-			x.Template = new(pkg2_v1.PodTemplateSpec)
-		}
-		x.Template.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
+		yyv12 := &x.Template
+		yyv12.CodecDecodeSelf(d)
 	}
 	for {
 		yyj8++
@@ -20446,7 +20432,7 @@ func (x codecSelfer1234) decSliceReplicaSet(v *[]ReplicaSet, d *codec1978.Decode
 
 			yyrg1 := len(yyv1) > 0
 			yyv21 := yyv1
-			yyrl1, yyrt1 = z.DecInferLen(yyl1, z.DecBasicHandle().MaxInitLen, 232)
+			yyrl1, yyrt1 = z.DecInferLen(yyl1, z.DecBasicHandle().MaxInitLen, 576)
 			if yyrt1 {
 				if yyrl1 <= cap(yyv1) {
 					yyv1 = yyv1[:yyrl1]
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.go
index 5cc05a9e281..9c1455c40e1 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/v1beta1/types.go
@@ -898,7 +898,7 @@ type ReplicaSetSpec struct {
 	// Template is the object that describes the pod that will be created if
 	// insufficient replicas are detected.
 	// More info: http://releases.k8s.io/HEAD/docs/user-guide/replication-controller.md#pod-template
-	Template *v1.PodTemplateSpec `json:"template,omitempty"`
+	Template v1.PodTemplateSpec `json:"template,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // ReplicaSetStatus represents the current status of a ReplicaSet.
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation.go
index e249ab965ba..bf5cbbcd30c 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation.go
@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ func ValidateReplicaSetSpec(spec *extensions.ReplicaSetSpec, fldPath *field.Path
 	if err != nil {
 		allErrs = append(allErrs, field.Invalid(fldPath.Child("selector"), spec.Selector, "invalid label selector."))
 	} else {
-		allErrs = append(allErrs, ValidatePodTemplateSpecForReplicaSet(spec.Template, selector, spec.Replicas, fldPath.Child("template"))...)
+		allErrs = append(allErrs, ValidatePodTemplateSpecForReplicaSet(&spec.Template, selector, spec.Replicas, fldPath.Child("template"))...)
 	}
 	return allErrs
 }
diff --git a/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation_test.go b/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation_test.go
index e93f8f3f2ab..818a6966173 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation_test.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/extensions/validation/validation_test.go
@@ -1446,7 +1446,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetStatusUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 				Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 					Replicas: 2,
@@ -1457,7 +1457,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetStatusUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 3,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 				Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 					Replicas: 4,
@@ -1478,7 +1478,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetStatusUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 				Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 					Replicas: 3,
@@ -1489,7 +1489,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetStatusUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 				Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 					Replicas: -3,
@@ -1554,7 +1554,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 			update: extensions.ReplicaSet{
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 3,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -1571,7 +1571,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 			update: extensions.ReplicaSet{
@@ -1579,7 +1579,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 1,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -1597,7 +1597,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 			update: extensions.ReplicaSet{
@@ -1605,7 +1605,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -1614,7 +1614,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 			update: extensions.ReplicaSet{
@@ -1622,7 +1622,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: invalidLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -1631,7 +1631,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 			update: extensions.ReplicaSet{
@@ -1639,7 +1639,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &invalidPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: invalidPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -1648,7 +1648,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 			update: extensions.ReplicaSet{
@@ -1656,7 +1656,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: -1,
 					Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-					Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+					Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -1712,14 +1712,14 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc-123", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		{
@@ -1727,7 +1727,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Replicas: 1,
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -1742,27 +1742,27 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"missing-namespace": {
 			ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc-123"},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"empty selector": {
 			ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"selector_doesnt_match": {
 			ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: map[string]string{"foo": "bar"}},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"invalid manifest": {
@@ -1776,7 +1776,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Replicas: 2,
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: readWriteVolumePodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"negative_replicas": {
@@ -1796,7 +1796,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"invalid_label 2": {
@@ -1808,7 +1808,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
-				Template: &invalidPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: invalidPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"invalid_annotation": {
@@ -1821,7 +1821,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+				Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 			},
 		},
 		"invalid restart policy 1": {
@@ -1831,7 +1831,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+				Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 					Spec: api.PodSpec{
 						RestartPolicy: api.RestartPolicyOnFailure,
 						DNSPolicy:     api.DNSClusterFirst,
@@ -1850,7 +1850,7 @@ func TestValidateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 				Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validLabels},
-				Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+				Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 					Spec: api.PodSpec{
 						RestartPolicy: api.RestartPolicyNever,
 						DNSPolicy:     api.DNSClusterFirst,
diff --git a/pkg/client/unversioned/replica_sets_test.go b/pkg/client/unversioned/replica_sets_test.go
index 097fdd12751..2a0e8142cfd 100644
--- a/pkg/client/unversioned/replica_sets_test.go
+++ b/pkg/client/unversioned/replica_sets_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func TestListReplicaSets(t *testing.T) {
 						},
 						Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 							Replicas: 2,
-							Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{},
+							Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{},
 						},
 					},
 				},
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestGetReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
-					Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{},
+					Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{},
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func TestUpdateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
-					Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{},
+					Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{},
 				},
 			},
 		},
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func TestUpdateStatusReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
-					Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{},
+					Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{},
 				},
 				Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 					Replicas: 2,
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func TestCreateReplicaSet(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 					Replicas: 2,
-					Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{},
+					Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{},
 				},
 			},
 		},
diff --git a/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller.go b/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller.go
index 108c254249b..d9b996c2ee8 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller.go
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ func (dc *DeploymentController) getNewReplicaSet(deployment *extensions.Deployme
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: 0,
 			Selector: newRSSelector,
-			Template: &newRSTemplate,
+			Template: newRSTemplate,
 		},
 	}
 	// Set new replica set's annotation
@@ -1100,9 +1100,9 @@ func (dc *DeploymentController) updateDeployment(deployment *extensions.Deployme
 }
 
 func (dc *DeploymentController) rollbackToTemplate(deployment *extensions.Deployment, rs *extensions.ReplicaSet) (d *extensions.Deployment, performedRollback bool, err error) {
-	if !reflect.DeepEqual(deploymentutil.GetNewReplicaSetTemplate(deployment), *rs.Spec.Template) {
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(deploymentutil.GetNewReplicaSetTemplate(deployment), rs.Spec.Template) {
 		glog.Infof("Rolling back deployment %s to template spec %+v", deployment.Name, rs.Spec.Template.Spec)
-		deploymentutil.SetFromReplicaSetTemplate(deployment, *rs.Spec.Template)
+		deploymentutil.SetFromReplicaSetTemplate(deployment, rs.Spec.Template)
 		performedRollback = true
 	} else {
 		glog.V(4).Infof("Rolling back to a revision that contains the same template as current deployment %s, skipping rollback...", deployment.Name)
diff --git a/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller_test.go b/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller_test.go
index 6a8d7115298..31cb70061c4 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/deployment/deployment_controller_test.go
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func rs(name string, replicas int, selector map[string]string) *exp.ReplicaSet {
 		Spec: exp.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: replicas,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: selector},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{},
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{},
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func newReplicaSet(d *exp.Deployment, name string, replicas int) *exp.ReplicaSet
 		},
 		Spec: exp.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: replicas,
-			Template: &d.Spec.Template,
+			Template: d.Spec.Template,
 		},
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set.go b/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set.go
index 28b5374d3f8..0c990f2975b 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set.go
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ func (rsc *ReplicaSetController) manageReplicas(filteredPods []*api.Pod, rs *ext
 		for i := 0; i < diff; i++ {
 			go func() {
 				defer wait.Done()
-				if err := rsc.podControl.CreatePods(rs.Namespace, rs.Spec.Template, rs); err != nil {
+				if err := rsc.podControl.CreatePods(rs.Namespace, &rs.Spec.Template, rs); err != nil {
 					// Decrement the expected number of creates because the informer won't observe this pod
 					glog.V(2).Infof("Failed creation, decrementing expectations for replica set %q/%q", rs.Namespace, rs.Name)
 					rsc.expectations.CreationObserved(rsKey)
diff --git a/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set_test.go b/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set_test.go
index 657304e28aa..50b808bb488 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/replicaset/replica_set_test.go
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func newReplicaSet(replicas int, selectorMap map[string]string) *extensions.Repl
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: replicas,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: selectorMap},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 					Labels: map[string]string{
 						"name": "foo",
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/describe.go b/pkg/kubectl/describe.go
index e377133a7c3..0a09b3a069c 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/describe.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/describe.go
@@ -1038,18 +1038,12 @@ func describeReplicaSet(rs *extensions.ReplicaSet, events *api.EventList, runnin
 	return tabbedString(func(out io.Writer) error {
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Name:\t%s\n", rs.Name)
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Namespace:\t%s\n", rs.Namespace)
-		if rs.Spec.Template != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "Image(s):\t%s\n", makeImageList(&rs.Spec.Template.Spec))
-		} else {
-			fmt.Fprintf(out, "Image(s):\t%s\n", "<unset>")
-		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Image(s):\t%s\n", makeImageList(&rs.Spec.Template.Spec))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Selector:\t%s\n", unversioned.FormatLabelSelector(rs.Spec.Selector))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Labels:\t%s\n", labels.FormatLabels(rs.Labels))
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Replicas:\t%d current / %d desired\n", rs.Status.Replicas, rs.Spec.Replicas)
 		fmt.Fprintf(out, "Pods Status:\t%d Running / %d Waiting / %d Succeeded / %d Failed\n", running, waiting, succeeded, failed)
-		if rs.Spec.Template != nil {
-			describeVolumes(rs.Spec.Template.Spec.Volumes, out)
-		}
+		describeVolumes(rs.Spec.Template.Spec.Volumes, out)
 		if events != nil {
 			DescribeEvents(events, out)
 		}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/history.go b/pkg/kubectl/history.go
index 4ee41fa1586..37cb9e0b29a 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/history.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/history.go
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func (h *DeploymentHistoryViewer) History(namespace, name string) (HistoryInfo,
 		if err != nil {
 			continue
 		}
-		historyInfo.RevisionToTemplate[v] = rs.Spec.Template
+		historyInfo.RevisionToTemplate[v] = &rs.Spec.Template
 		changeCause := getChangeCause(rs)
 		if historyInfo.RevisionToTemplate[v].Annotations == nil {
 			historyInfo.RevisionToTemplate[v].Annotations = make(map[string]string)
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/stop_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/stop_test.go
index 75729e82578..9274ab40864 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/stop_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/stop_test.go
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ func TestDeploymentStop(t *testing.T) {
 								Namespace: ns,
 							},
 							Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
-								Template: &template,
+								Template: template,
 							},
 						},
 					},
diff --git a/pkg/registry/replicaset/etcd/etcd_test.go b/pkg/registry/replicaset/etcd/etcd_test.go
index 64c7c6a70cc..18cecd0111e 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/replicaset/etcd/etcd_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/replicaset/etcd/etcd_test.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func validNewReplicaSet() *extensions.ReplicaSet {
 		},
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: map[string]string{"a": "b"}},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 					Labels: map[string]string{"a": "b"},
 				},
diff --git a/pkg/registry/replicaset/strategy_test.go b/pkg/registry/replicaset/strategy_test.go
index 1fe9b9f3484..e4fea3c39f8 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/replicaset/strategy_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/replicaset/strategy_test.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestReplicaSetStrategy(t *testing.T) {
 		ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{Name: "abc", Namespace: api.NamespaceDefault},
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validSelector},
-			Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+			Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 		},
 		Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 			Replicas:           1,
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func TestReplicaSetStatusStrategy(t *testing.T) {
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: 3,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validSelector},
-			Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+			Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 		},
 		Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 			Replicas:           1,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func TestReplicaSetStatusStrategy(t *testing.T) {
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: 1,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: validSelector},
-			Template: &validPodTemplate.Template,
+			Template: validPodTemplate.Template,
 		},
 		Status: extensions.ReplicaSetStatus{
 			Replicas:           3,
diff --git a/pkg/util/deployment/deployment.go b/pkg/util/deployment/deployment.go
index 869936109cf..6ff60c34193 100644
--- a/pkg/util/deployment/deployment.go
+++ b/pkg/util/deployment/deployment.go
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ func GetOldReplicaSetsFromLists(deployment *extensions.Deployment, c clientset.I
 				return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid label selector: %v", err)
 			}
 			// Filter out replica set that has the same pod template spec as the deployment - that is the new replica set.
-			if api.Semantic.DeepEqual(rs.Spec.Template, &newRSTemplate) {
+			if api.Semantic.DeepEqual(rs.Spec.Template, newRSTemplate) {
 				continue
 			}
 			allOldRSs[rs.ObjectMeta.Name] = rs
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ func GetNewReplicaSetFromList(deployment *extensions.Deployment, c clientset.Int
 	newRSTemplate := GetNewReplicaSetTemplate(deployment)
 
 	for i := range rsList {
-		if api.Semantic.DeepEqual(rsList[i].Spec.Template, &newRSTemplate) {
+		if api.Semantic.DeepEqual(rsList[i].Spec.Template, newRSTemplate) {
 			// This is the new ReplicaSet.
 			return &rsList[i], nil
 		}
diff --git a/pkg/util/deployment/deployment_test.go b/pkg/util/deployment/deployment_test.go
index b556dd56cb6..018a7017de9 100644
--- a/pkg/util/deployment/deployment_test.go
+++ b/pkg/util/deployment/deployment_test.go
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func generateRSWithLabel(labels map[string]string, image string) extensions.Repl
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: 1,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: labels},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 				Spec: api.PodSpec{
 					Containers: []api.Container{
 						{
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func generateRS(deployment extensions.Deployment) extensions.ReplicaSet {
 			Labels: template.Labels,
 		},
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
-			Template: &template,
+			Template: template,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: template.Labels},
 		},
 	}
diff --git a/test/e2e/deployment.go b/test/e2e/deployment.go
index de8842aa1ca..897813f445f 100644
--- a/test/e2e/deployment.go
+++ b/test/e2e/deployment.go
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func newRS(rsName string, replicas int, rsPodLabels map[string]string, imageName
 		Spec: extensions.ReplicaSetSpec{
 			Replicas: replicas,
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: rsPodLabels},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 					Labels: rsPodLabels,
 				},
diff --git a/test/e2e/replica_set.go b/test/e2e/replica_set.go
index f7d9e8b58c7..611abade9a4 100644
--- a/test/e2e/replica_set.go
+++ b/test/e2e/replica_set.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func ReplicaSetServeImageOrFail(f *Framework, test string, image string) {
 			Selector: &unversioned.LabelSelector{MatchLabels: map[string]string{
 				"name": name,
 			}},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 					Labels: map[string]string{"name": name},
 				},
diff --git a/test/e2e/util.go b/test/e2e/util.go
index d2326b4f4ce..0db97b6069c 100644
--- a/test/e2e/util.go
+++ b/test/e2e/util.go
@@ -1817,7 +1817,7 @@ func (config *ReplicaSetConfig) create() error {
 					"name": config.Name,
 				},
 			},
-			Template: &api.PodTemplateSpec{
+			Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
 				ObjectMeta: api.ObjectMeta{
 					Labels: map[string]string{"name": config.Name},
 				},
@@ -1835,7 +1835,7 @@ func (config *ReplicaSetConfig) create() error {
 		},
 	}
 
-	config.applyTo(rs.Spec.Template)
+	config.applyTo(&rs.Spec.Template)
 
 	_, err := config.Client.ReplicaSets(config.Namespace).Create(rs)
 	if err != nil {