NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand coach Graham Henry yesterday made 13 changes to the side which beat England 23-19 for Saturday's grand slam decider against Scotland at Murrayfield
.Captain Tana Umaga, who switches back to inside centre, and lock Chris Jack are the only players to retain their places.
However, with openside flanker Richie McCaw and hooker Anton Oliver included after being ruled out of the England game through injury, Henry has ensured that there is a backbone of experience for the game which could clinch the All Blacks' second grand slam 27 years after the first.
Henry is confident enough to include uncapped 19-year-old full back Isaia Toeava, who has just one full NPC game for Auckland under his belt.
The International Rugby Board's Under-19 player of the year has already been compared to Fiji's Waisale Serevi and former All Black try-machine Christian Cullen.
Henry used 30 different starters in the first two games of the tour against Wales and Ireland and has stayed true to his promise of using the trip to develop talent for the 2007 World Cup. "We picked our third half back and our third hooker on the bench," he said. "When it comes to the World Cup we will need three half backs and three hookers in the squad."
Props John Afoa and Saimone Taumoepeau, with only three caps between them, flanker Angus MacDonald, making his first start, and outhalf Nick Evans, making his fourth, contribute to the unfamiliar look.
NEW ZEALAND: I Toeava; R Gear, C Smith, T Umaga (capt), J Rokocoko; N Evans, P Weepu; S Taumoepeau, A Oliver, J Afoa, C Jack, J Ryan, A MacDonald, R McCaw, S Lauaki. Replacements: A Hore, N Tialata, J Eaton, M Tuiali'i, J Cowan, L MacDonald, M Nonu.
SCOTLAND: Scotland international Tom Philip is taking time out from the game in an attempt to recover from a catalogue of injuries. The 22-year-old centre sustained a serious knee injury during the 2004 summer tour of Australasia. Since then, he has been plagued by further problems with his back and groin. He has refused to set a date for his return.
REFEREE INJURED: Injury has forced Irish referee Donal Courtney to pull out of Scotland's match against New Zealand on Saturday. Courtney has an abductor strain and will be replaced by Welsh official Nigel Whitehouse.
