Pool C Team newsFormer New Zealand captain Reuben Thorne will get his first game at this World Cup after he was named in the starting line-up for the Pool C game against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The 32-year-old utility forward will partner Ali Williams in the secondrow after making a successful recovery from a thigh injury which kept him out of the first two games against Italy and Portugal.
Flanker Jerry Collins will be rested with another high impact backrower Chris Masoe moving to the blindside. Skipper Richie McCaw returns at open, while Anton Oliver gets his first start at hooker.
Outhalf Dan Carter is also back in the starting XV after sitting out the 108-13 victory over Portugal last week, with Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith pairing up in the centre.
Doug Howlett, who could set a new All Blacks try-scoring record if he scores on Sunday, was given the right-wing slot while Sitiveni Sivavatu starts on the left.
However, there is no place for Joe Rokocoko who scored the first two tries against Portugal. In total there are 12 changes from the team that took to the field against Portugal, Masoe, Williams and Smith the only survivors from last week's game in Lyon.
"This test is well-timed for us, coming two weeks out from the quarter-finals," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry.
"If we can play well against Scotland, we can build some momentum ahead of the knockout round.
"The team that has been selected is not necessarily the top XV. I don't think you should read too much into the selection in that regard."
Second row Keith Robinson and fullback/centre Mils Muliaina were both unavailable for selection because of injury.
Henry said Robinson was in the final stages of recovery from a calf injury, while Muliaina strained a hamstring in the opening minutes of the Portugal game and will be replaced by Leon MacDonald at fullback.
NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald; D Howlett, C Smith, L McAlister, S Sivivatu; D Carter, B Kelleher; T Woodcock, A Oliver, C Hayman, R Thorne, A Williams, C Masoe, R McCaw (capt), R So'oialo. Replacements: A Hore, N Tialata, C Jack, S Lauaki, B Leonard, N Evans, I Toeava.
