Mac ready to fill Carter's boots

Leon MacDonald will fill the considerable boots of Dan Carter in the New Zealand team to take on the British and Irish Lions in the third and final Test at Eden Park on Saturday.

Fly-half Carter injured his shoulder in a man-of-the-match display in the 48-18 second-Test series-sealing win last weekend and, along with inside centre Aaron Mauger (hamstring) and prop Carl Hayman (infected toe), was ruled out of contention for the final match of the tour.

MacDonald played at fly-half for the Yamaha club during his 12-month stint in Japan in 2004 but has played at full-back for the Crusaders and New Zealand since his return.

However, he slotted into the pivot’s role at the end of the second Test when Carter was forced off.

Mauger’s absence sees captain Tana Umaga move to inside centre, with his Wellington and Hurricanes team-mate Conrad Smith starting outside him.

It is Smith’s first appearance in the series after he was overlooked for the first two Tests.

Luke McAlister, who was only drafted into the squad this week, will start on the bench as cover for the midfield and fly-half positions.

“Leon and Conrad have been in fine form and deserving of a run,” All Blacks coach Graham Henry said. “Leon showed last weekend how well he can play anywhere in the back line.”

The selectors – Henry, assistant coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith and Sir Brian Lochore – have retained the same forwards who started the second Test, although young lock James Ryan replaces Jono Gibbes on the bench.

“We want to finish the series well and show that we can play at the top of our game consistently,” Henry said.

In his final match for the All Blacks, scrum-half Justin Marshall has to be content with a spot on the bench.

New Zealand team to face the Lions: Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (aptain), Sitiveni Sivivatu; Leon MacDonald, Byron Kelleher; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo.

Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Campbell Johnstone, James Ryan, Sione Lauaki, Justin Marshall, Luke McAlister, Doug Howlett.