KEY POINTS:
Versatile loose forward Chris Masoe will play his first test as blindside flanker as the All Blacks look to protect their restricted locking resources against Scotland on Monday.
In the one surprising choice for this third World Cup match, the All Blacks have picked backup opensider Masoe in tandem with captain Richie McCaw for the Murrayfield international.
All of Masoe's 17 tests have been either as McCaw's understudy or at No 8. But with Reuben Thorne fit again after his hamstring troubles and picked in the second row to ease the workload for senior lock Chris Jack, Masoe has been given a change of job description.
The other specialist lock, Keith Robinson, is still only able to jog at training because of his persistent calf problem while fullback Mils Muliaina has not been risked after he strained his hamstring against Portugal.
Coach Graham Henry and the panel resisted playing Jerry Collins in his third straight game at No 6 or giving the erratic Sione Lauaki another chance, and opted for Masoe.
"The test is well-timed for us, coming two weeks out from the quarter-finals," Henry said. "If we can play well against Scotland, we can build some momentum ahead of the knockout round."
Scotland have yet to unveil their side which will also reveal whether they are resting many of their senior players for their last must-win pool game, against Italy.
Reliable centre Conrad Smith will back up after his long-awaited All Black start against Portugal, where he scored two tries and showed the composure which is one of his greatest rugby weapons. Injury has wrecked his season but he is part of what seems to be the preferred midfield combination with Luke McAlister.
There is also the chance for senior wing Doug Howlett to erase Christian Cullen's record of 46 test tries as the Aucklander has nudged out Joe Rokocoko on the right wing.
Rokocoko had limited time in the Super 14 but the selectors picked him for all but the Canada match in their seven tests this season before the World Cup. He was overlooked for Italy and, after an initial scoring burst against Portugal, faded out of that game.
In contrast, Howlett has excelled this year with his workrate and defence and that may have given him the edge.
Anton Oliver has his first start at hooker in what is expected to be a reasonable tussle up front.
His elevation will be all to do with rotation, ground conditions and the idea of subduing the Scots up front and attacking their scrum.
Conditions at Murrayfield will be much cooler than they have been in the south of France where the squad have been for the past three weeks.
Keven Mealamu has been sharp around the field in the heat and while there was no mention about him carrying any injury, his lower right calf was heavily taped yesterday at training. .
There were some doubts about the fitness of senior tighthead prop Carl Hayman but he has been picked after avoiding some intensive scrum sessions to rest a bruised calf.
All Blacks v Scotland
Edinburgh, 3am Monday
15. Leon MacDonald
14. Doug Howlett
13. Conrad Smith
12. Luke McAlister
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Daniel Carter
9. Byron Kelleher
8. Rodney So'oialo
7. Richie McCaw
6. Chris Masoe
5. Reuben Thorne
4. Ali Williams
3. Carl Hayman
2. Anton Oliver
1. Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Isaia Toeava.
