There are four changes to the All Blacks starting lineup from the team that lost to the Wallabies for Sunday morning's Test against England at Twickenham.
Sonny Bill Williams will make his Test debut at centre replacing Conrad Smith and becomes the latest New Zealand rugby league/rugby union double international following 1992-1995 All Black Marc Ellis.
The All Blacks coach Graham Henry says the selectors always planned on giving Williams a start in the midfield alongside either Nonu or Smith and with Smith nursing a hamstring strain it was decided to hand Williams his All Blacks debut.
In the other changes, lock Samuel Whitelock comes in for Tom Donnelly in the second row, Alby Mathewson will make his starting debut for the All Blacks at halfback, replacing Jimmy Cowan, while Hosea Gear gets his second Test start, replacing the injured Cory Jane on the wing.
Meanwhile, on the bench, Ben Franks comes in as prop cover, lock Anthony Boric and loose forward Liam Messam cover their respective positions, and Andy Ellis is the reserve halfback.
While Henry is excited about the potentially lethal midfield pairing he admits Sonny Bill could find Test match rugby an eye opening experience, with the level of ITM Cup perhaps five out of 10 while a Test is 10 out of 10.
Henry says there is a resolve in the team to put in an improved performance this weekend and the team has worked hard on that this week.
He says there is excitement in the camp as well, with the All Blacks playing England at Twickenham for the Hillary Shield always a marvellous occasion.
The All Blacks have played England 33 times since 1905 with 26 wins to New Zealand, six to England and one draw. The last Test against England was at Twickenham on last year's end of year tour, which the All Blacks won 19 -6.
Starting XV:
1. Tony Woodcock (70)
2. Keven Mealamu (81)
3. Owen Franks (18)
4. Brad Thorn (47)
5. Samuel Whitelock (9)
6. Jerome Kaino (34)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (90)
8. Kieran Read (26)
9. Alby Mathewson (2)
10. Daniel Carter (75)
11. Hosea Gear (2)
12. Ma'a Nonu (53)
13. Sonny Bill Williams *
14. Josevata Rokocoko (67)
15. Mils Muliaina (90)
Reserves:
16. Hikawera Elliot (uncapped)
17. Ben Franks (7)
18. Anthony Boric (16)
19. Liam Messam (5)
20. Andy Ellis (14)
21. Stephen Donald (20)
22. Isaia Toeava (27)
