Edinburgh: All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has been shunted to blindside flanker and fly-half Dan Carter gets his first Test start in a year in a vastly rearranged New Zealand side to play Scotland on Saturday.
The surprise shake-up also has hooker James Parsons making his Test debut as only 12 players survive from the 23 involved in last weekend’s 24-21 win over England at Twickenham.
Parsons, along with utility back Colin Slade and lock Dominic Bird, who are also in the run-on side to play Scotland, were not in the original touring party but have been called in as injuries hit the squad.
But coach Steve Hansen rejected any talk of an under-strength side
“Though we have made changes to our team, there is an expectation that those who fill the jersey will deliver quality performances,” he said when announcing the team.
For the 135-Test veteran McCaw, widely acclaimed in his prime as the world’s best openside flanker, this will be the first time he has started a Test in the number six jersey, although he has previously played at the back of the scrum.
He moves to the more defensive role to make way for his openside understudy Sam Cane, with Victor Vito at number eight to give the All Blacks more mobility than the established loose trio of McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read.
Of the 15 who started against England, only McCaw and Ben Smith will start again and even Smith has to change position, moving from wing to fullback in place of Israel Dagg.
Kaino and locks Patrick Fekitoa and Brodie Retallick were not considered due to injury while centre Conrad Smith has returned home for family reasons.
