KEY POINTS:
EDINBURGH - Former Canterbury loose forward Matt Mustchin has been named Scotland's bench for the All Blacks' Grand Slam rugby opener at Murrayfield here on Sunday (NZT).
The 31-year-old, who made his debut this season, will be the latest "Kilted Kiwi" to face the land of his birth should he be introduced - following in the pioneering footsteps of Sean Lineen in 1989.
Mustchin's demotion to the reserves is one of seven changes made by coach Frank Hadden to the line-up that started Scotland's most recent international against Argentina at Buenos Aires in June.
The return of experienced forwards Jason White, Simon Taylor and Nathan Hines - each capped more than 50 times - is a feature of what appears a typically rugged forward pack.
In the backs, experienced wing Sean Lamont returns from a serious knee injury that ruled him out of last season's Six Nations, where Scotland placed a disappointing fifth.
Phil Godman has been selected at first five-eighth, an indication Scotland will attempt to play an expansive game while the more conservative Australian born pivot Dan Parks is among the reserves.
The line-up appears strong despite fears Scotland may deliberately name a weakened team as they eye next weekend's clash with world champions South Africa as a more realistic test to win and therefore gain crucial ranking points ahead of the 2011 World Cup pool announcement on December 1.
Scotland need to win one of their next two tests to improve from ninth place to eighth - and a potentially easier path to that tournament's quarterfinals.
Wing Simon Webster is an obvious omission while Ally Hogg surprisingly missed the cut in the loose forwards. Back-up halfbacks Rory Lawson and Mark McMillan are bracketed on the bench as they both recover from injury.
Scotland are seeking their first win over the All Blacks since their rivalry began in 1905. New Zealand have won 26 of the 24 tests. The other two matches were drawn in 1963 at Murrayfield and again at the same venue 20 years later.
Scotland
Chris Paterson, Thom Evans, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Sean Lamont, Phil Goodman, Mike Blair (captain), Simon Taylor, John Barclay, Jason White, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobson.
Reserves: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Matt Mustchin, Scott Gray, Rory Lawson/Mark McMillan, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell.
All Blacks
Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, Neemia Tialata, Ross Filipo, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Daniel Carter, Cory Jane.
- NZPA
