Regular fullback Mils Muliaina has been selected to play outside centre for New Zealand in the opening Tri-Nations match against Australia in Christchurch on Saturday.
Muliaina, whose displays at centre for the Auckland Blues in 2003 propelled him into national contention, has never played there for the All Blacks but his inclusion makes him the fourth man in as many matches to fill the role left vacant by retired skipper Tana Umaga.
Ma'a Nonu, Casey Laulala and Isaia Toeava have worn the number 13 jersey in the last three tests.
Coach Graham Henry told reporters in Christchurch that Muliaina's selection was not a criticism of those who had played there previously, but more of a desire to see both Muliaina and in-form fullback Leon MacDonald in the same backline.
"For the balance of the side, it was good to have both of them in there," Henry said today. "Mils is more suited to centre than Leon is so that's how it's finished up. We've got total confidence in his ability to play there.
"It was a natural thing to do that was always at the forefront of our minds in the early part of the season."
Henry said he doubted Muliaina would have any problems shifting in closer to the scrum, given his previous experience there, while assistant coach Wayne Smith said the selectors felt it was potentially the 25-year-old's best position.
"Mils is a centre first," Smith said. "He became a world star at fullback but I would say he's very comfortable there (centre).
"We probably had a feeling that Mils was going to be the natural choice at some point. It's the right time to do it."
Henry said Muliaina had been told of his move to centre before Nonu broke his thumb playing club rugby at the weekend.
The remainder of the side was fairly predictable, with Henry picking many of the form players from Super 14.
Wellington Hurriances lock Jason Eaton will partner Chris Jack in the second row, with the Cantabrian playing his 50th test match while prop Tony Woodcock, who missed most of the Super 14 with a calf injury, returns to last year's starting front row with Carl Hayman and Keven Mealamu.
The loose-forward trio of Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and captain Richie McCaw, which has shown the most balance over the past 12 months, are reunited for the first time since last August's Tri-Nations clash with South Africa in Dunedin.
The match kicks off at 7.35 (Irish time).
New Zealand: 15-Leon MacDonald; 14-Rico Gear, 13-Mils Muliaina, 12-Aaron Mauger, 11-Joe Rokocoko; 10-Daniel Carter, 9-Byron Kelleher; 8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Jerry Collins, 5-Jason Eaton, 4-Chris Jack; 3-Carl Hayman, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16-Andrew Hore, 17-Greg Somerville, 18-Ali Williams, 19-Chris Masoe, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Luke McAlister, 22-Isaia Toeava.
