McCaw and Carter back for All Blacks

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has given Ireland full respect by going for his strongest available side ahead of the meeting with Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.

Captain Richie McCaw, late arrival Mils Muliaina and world-beating out-half Dan Carter are all on board in a reflection of the trouble the All Blacks have been given by the Irish in their recent clashes.

Henry has made no less than eleven changes with Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu and Ma'a Nonu the only survivors from the facile 32-6 defeat of Scotland at Murrayfield.

NEW ZEALAND (v Ireland): 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.