The injury-hit All Blacks on Thursday named Richard Kahui as a surprise choice on the wing for the second Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies, to take place in Auckland on Saturday, but were unable to confirm the hooker and scrumhalf spots.

The full line-up is not expected to be settled until Friday, 24 hours before kick-off.

After the forced withdrawal of first-choice fullback Leon MacDonald because of concussion concerns, Mils Muliaina reverts from the wing to the number 15 jersey, allowing regular outside centre Kahui to start on the right wing.

Kahui's promotion from the bench in the reshuffled backline comes at the expense of wings Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf.

Tuitavake takes Kahui's place on the bench.

The scrumhalf and hooker positions are still unresolved, and assistant coach Wayne Smith said a final decision would be made after the players were assessed on Thursday and Friday.

Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu and Andy Ellis are all bracketed at number nine, with Cowan and Ellis in doubt after being injured in last week's 19-34 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney.

First choice hooker Andrew Hore, who sustained a hip injury while scoring one of New Zealand's three tries in that match, has been bracketed with Keven Mealamu.

The loose forward replacements are another selection issue, with Daniel Braid and Adam Thomson still bracketed.

According to the official All Black statement Richie McCaw's high ankle sprain will also be "assessed" to determine whether Thomson or Braid takes a place on the bench.

New Zealand — revised: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andy Ellis, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid, 20 Jimmy Cowan/ Piri Weepu/ Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Anthony Tuitavake.

Date: Saturday, August 2
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), James Bolabiu (Fiji)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

AFP