The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says a dip in form is the reason lock Sam Whitelock has been dropped for Saturday's Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Wellington.
In two key changes to the forward pack, Brodie Retallick comes in for Whitelock, while Victor Vito gets a start at blindside flank for Liam Meesam.
Prop Tony Woodcock returns from injury, pushing Wyatt Crockett out of the 22. Fellow frontrower Charlie Faumuina is set to make his test debut after being named on the bench.
As expected centre Conrad Smith has returned to the starting XV after missing the first two Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia due to eye surgery.
Smith and Ma'a Nonu have had a long partnership at Super Rugby and international level and were the first choice midfield pairing for New Zealand during last year's World Cup campaign.
However they have not played together since beating France to win the Webb Ellis trophy.
The Hurricanes youngster Julian Savea also returns to the side on the left wing in place of Hosea Gear, who drops out of the 22.
New Zealand: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Cory Jane, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Daniel Carter, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Victor Vito, 5-Brodie Retallick, 4-Luke Romano, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16-Andrew Hore, 17-Charlie Faumuina, 18-Sam Whitelock, 19-Liam Messam, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Aaron Cruden, 22-Ben Smith.
In the other changes prop Tony Woodcock and centre Conrad Smith return from injuries and Julian Savea starts on the left wing for Hosea Gear.
