New Zealand outhalf Dan Carter has been named on the bench for Sunday's Test against England but could be drafted into the starting line-up if Nick Evans fails to recover from injury.
Evans has been handed the number 10 jersey for the Twickenham showdown but a hamstring injury sustained in training may force him to withdraw from the squad.
If Evans fails to recover - he is rated 50-50 by All Blacks head coach Graham Henry - Carter is on standby with Leon MacDonald filling the vacancy on the bench.
Henry has selected a powerful line-up for the match, which is being staged to celebrate the opening of the new South Stand at Twickenham, but has omitted several first-choice players.
Canterbury openside Richie McCaw will lead the Tri-Nations champions and there is a return for Keith Robinson to the second row.
Robinson, who only recently recovered from a long-term back injury, is included despite having played just five matches for Waikato at the business end of the domestic season.
Chris Jack will start alongside Robinson in the second row while Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock make up Henry's first-choice front row.
Ma'a Nonu and Aaron Mauger will form the centre partnership with Rico Gear and Joe Rokocoko starting on the wings.
Henry said: "We expect a physical contest this weekend and another against France six days later. Part of our strategy to be successful in those two Tests is to have some fresh legs available for the match in Lyon."
New Zealand: Muliaina (Waikato), R Gear (Tasman), M Nonu (Wellington), A Mauger (Canterbury), J Rokocoko (Auckland), N Evans (Otago), B Kelleher (Waikato), T Woodcock (North Harbour), K Mealamu (Auckland), C Hayman (Otago), C Jack (Tasman), K Robinson (Waikato), R Thorne (Canterbury), R McCaw (Canterbury, capt), C Masoe (Wellington). Replacements: A Hore (Taranaki), J Afoa (Auckland), C Dermody (Southland), R So'oialo (Wellington), A Ellis (Canterbury), D Carter (Canterbury), S Sivivatu (Waikato).
