Dan Carter returns for All Blacks
New Zealand have named their team ahead of their Bledisloe Cup match with Australia on Saturday, 30 October in Hong Kong.
Out-half Dan Carter will return to the side after his recovery from an ankle injury, while Joe Rokocoko will replace Israel Dagg on the wing.
Jimmy Cowan will also return at scrum-half. Carter will be the most significant player to return and the All Blacks will look to the world’s best out-half to lead the team to their 11th consecutive win over Australia.
The Wallabies have not beaten New Zealand since July 2008. Winger Drew Mitchell returns from a hamstring injury, while prop Ben Alexander will play after recovering from a knee injury.
It's great to see Ben back after what's been a pretty frustrating period for him," said Australian coach Robbie Deans.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry believes that the match will be a challenge for his All Blacks side, despite their impressive run of victories over the Wallabies.
This Test is a very important one for the team who are keen to get the Tour off to a good start, and, like all trans-Tasman matches, it will be another huge encounter," said Henry.
"Australia will again present a massive challenge for the All Blacks and we have picked an All Blacks starting side that has done outstandingly well this year,” added the New Zealand coach.
The All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will win his 90th cap for his country and like Carter he is likely to play a pivotal role in the match.
Henry will expect a big game from Carter on his return and the out-half could be the difference between the teams.
The two sides will then embark on their autumn tour. New Zealand will face England at Twickenham, while Australia will visit the Millennium Stadium to play Wales. Both games will be held on Saturday, 6 November.
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