New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will lead the All Blacks in their tour-ending non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham here on Saturday.
Flanker McCaw, recently crowned the IRB 2009 world player of the year and Cory Jane - back in his first-choice position of full-back - are the only two survivors from the team that beat France 39-12 in Marseille last weekend.
But fly-half Dan Carter, who featured in New Zealand's November win over England at Twickenham, has been left out of the entire matchday 22 by coach Graham Henry.
Instead, Stephen Donald will run-on at No 10 for his first start of the tour with prop John Afoa also making his first start against a star-studded Barbarians side that features All Black wing Joe Rokocoko.
Henry had no hesitation throwing McCaw into yet another international, the openside flanker's 11th of the year.
"I think he's a very important part of this group and his leadership is important," said Henry, who insisted he felt under no pressure to play McCaw.
"I think the team will be better if he leads it. It's a big occasion, it's Twickenham and we've recognised that by playing Richie," Henry added after naming his side at New Zealand's hotel here on Wednesday.
McCaw admitted he "could do with a break" but was delighted to have been given another chance to captain his country.
"I had a fair idea for a while that I would probably be playing," he said.
"We were always going to give a few other guys a crack, which is what we've done on this tour, but I want to be in that team and help out, and I'm more than happy to."
New Zealand have yet to lose on this tour, having defeated Australia (in Tokyo), Wales, Italy, England and France.
Of New Zealand's four debutants on this tour three - Zac Guildford, Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison - will start while Mike Delany is on the bench.
The Barbarians are captained by South Africa World Cup-winning second row Victor Matfield and features several of his fellow Springboks in star wing Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Fourie du Preez and Bismarck du Plessis.
Australia supply four players in wing Drew Mitchell, fly-half Matt Giteau, back-row George Smith and blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, the Wallaby captain.
The starting team, which was traditionally composed of players from the Britain and Ireland, features just three northern hemisphere names in Wales centre Jamie Roberts and Italian forards Carlo del Fava and Salvatore Perugini - a sign of how Europe's top clubs are increasingly reluctant to release players for what many still regard as a prestigious fixture.
Barbarians coach Nick Mallett, currently in charge of Italy, said: "We have the benefit of a full week together ahead of the match.
"Knowing the talent that has been assembled among the 22 players, we expect to be very competitive and give the All Blacks and the Twickenham crowd a real taste of Barbarian rugby at its best," the former South Africa coach added.
Meanwhile, Henry said: "A match against the Barbarians is one of rugby's great traditions and our players are really looking forward to this match."
The All Blacks have played the Barbarians nine times since 1954, winning seven and drawing one.
However, the Barbarians' 23-11 win over New Zealand at Cardiff in 1973 is widely regarded as one of the best rugby union matches ever played with Wales great Gareth Edwards's opening score, a length of the field team try, often cited as the greatest try of all-time.
And All Blacks attack coach Steve Hansen urged his team to go out and play an entertaining brand of rugby that has largely been in short supply throughout Europe in November.
"It's something that's naturally ingrained in the All Blacks," he said. "It's a traditional game that's always been entertaining.
"The Barbarians have their own style and way of playing, and I think we are duty-bound to enter into that, with a bit of common sense.
"We want to go and have a great finale, and have a game of rugby we can all be proud of."
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
