KEY POINTS:
HONG KONG - Hosea Gear's startling domestic rugby season has been rewarded with a test debut while Stephen Donald starts his first international at pivot when the All Blacks play Australia in their historic Bledisloe Cup test here on Saturday.
Gear, who scored a record 14 tries for runners-up Wellington in the Air NZ Cup, features in a backline with significant alterations from the starting 15 that defended the Cup and Tri-Nations titles in Brisbane on September 13.
Makeshift wing Richard Kahui makes way for Gear as Joe Rokocoko takes a slow path back from injury.
In the most significant move Daniel Carter, who ended the last Bledisloe at second five-eighth starts in midfield in place of the benched Ma'a Nonu.
The decision to play Donald and Carter in tandem at Hong Kong Stadium was recognition of Carter's limited game time since Brisbane -- he has only played a trial game against the New Zealand Barbarians in Auckland last week -- and the need for two tactical kicking options against the Wallabies.
Mils Muliaina, whose wife Hayley gave birth to their first child Max just hours after the All Blacks squad touched down in Hong Kong this morning, has been named at fullback, though he is yet to join the team.
Muliaina could leave Auckland tonight at the earliest and arrive here tomorrow.
In the solitary change to the pack from Brisbane, Neemia Tialata starts at tighthead prop, though there will be one last farewell for the Gloucester-bound Greg Somerville after he was named on the bench.
Somerville, who thought the 28-24 victory in Brisbane marked the end of his 65-test career, is only on tour briefly as cover for John Afoa (knee) and Ben Franks (back).
At this stage he will not be involved in the Grand Slam attempt which starts in Edinburgh next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies name their line-up on Thursday and, unlike Henry, Robbie Deans will be forced to make multiple changes due to injury and unavailability.
Blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, now with Irish club Leinster, and lock James Horwill (foot), are not travelling while wing Lote Tuqiri and No 8 Wycliff Palu will not be available until the Wallabies also embark on their European tour.
Drew Mitchell will likely replace Tuqiri while Richard Brown is expected to slot in for Palu in what would be his first test start.
New Zealand-born Dean Mumm is likely to start on the blindside flank ; Brumbies second-rower Mark Chisholm is set to make his first appearance this year after being sidelined with chicken pox.
The return of halfback Luke Burgess (knee) and second five-eighth Berrick Barnes (shoulder) looks likely. Burgess is expected to relegate Sam Cordingley, while Barnes is set to resume at No 12, moving captain Stirling Mortlock back to his usual centre berth and Ryan Cross to the bench.
Burgess was the Wallabies' first choice halfback before he injured his knee at training before the tour of South Africa, while Barnes was established in midfield before hurting his shoulder in Durban.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Anthony Boric, Adam Thompson, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava.
- NZPA
