All Blacks: Ross to make debut, McAlister on bench

Crusaders lock Isaac Ross has benefited from injuries to Ali Williams and Anthony Boric. Photo / Getty Images

Lock Isaac Ross will make his debut and fullback Mils Muliaina will become New Zealand's 64th captain in the first of two rugby tests against France in Dunedin on Saturday.

Ross, 24, is the son of former All Blacks lock Jock Ross and former New Zealand women's rugby representative Christine Ross. He was named today to partner his Crusaders teammate Brad Thorn in a lineup which is severely weakened by injuries.

Muliaina will lead New Zealand in a test for the first time in the absence of regular captain Richie McCaw, who has a knee injury.

In addition to Ross, two other uncapped players - flanker Tanerau Latimer and lock Bryn Evans - have been named on the reserves bench.

Utility back Luke McAlister was also named among the All Blacks reserves, although his appearance for the Barbarians against Australia in Sydney on Saturday was his first match in more than three months.

McAlister turned his back on New Zealand rugby two years ago to play for English club Sale but has returned and been fast-tracked into the All Blacks squad in the absence of injured first five-eighths Dan Carter and centres Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui.

All Blacks coaches Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have been forced to name one of the most inexperienced loose forward combinations New Zealand has taken into a test in recent years.

In the absence of McCaw and No 8 Rodney So'oialo, who has a neck injury, the selectors have named a raw loose forward trio of No 8 Liam Messam, blindside flanker Kieran Read and openside Adam Thomson, who boast just 13 tests between them.

"We will be facing a very experienced, strong French side while the All Blacks squad will be a good mixture of experienced players and others who are relatively new to the All Blacks," Henry said.

"So this first test is going to be a huge challenge for the team and is shaping up to be another classic All Blacks-France test match."

Prop Tony Woodcock will play his 50th test for New Zealand in a front row partnership with Andrew Hore and Neemia Tialata.

The All Blacks' backline appears makeshift and brittle in the absence of Carter and Smith.

Jimmy Cowan will start at halfback in his first match since May 16 when his Otago Highlanders side was eliminated from the Super 14. Stephen Donald will take Carter's place at first five-eighths, though he struggled in that role on New Zealand's end of year tour to Britain last year.

Only seven members of the All Blacks team which took the field against England in the last test of 2008 have been named to play Saturday.

Ma'a Nonu and Isaia Toeava will combine in midfield while Auckland Blues teammates Joe Rokocoko and Rudi Wulf have been named on the wings. Toeava, Rokocoko and Wulf were part of a Blues backline which struggled to find form throughout the Super 14 and their selection, on the basis of limited match play, gives the New Zealand team a patchwork appearance.

Muliaina will lead the team from fullback in his 69th test.

All Blacks
Mils Muliaina (captain), Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Bryn Evans, Tanerau Latimer, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane.

- AP