Captain Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter return to All Blacks' starting XV for Saturday's Test against Ireland at Croke Park, which includes only four players who started against Scotland last weekend.

The superstar pair were left on the bench until late on as the All Blacks began their Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland with a 32-6 win over Scotland at Murrayfield last Saturday.

Coach Graham Henry made it clear after that match that he expected a far tougher challenge from the Irish and that is reflected in a more experienced line-up which features only four of the players who started against Scotland.

"The Irish showed passion and physicality when they played us in New Zealand earlier in the year and we are expecting another tough Test match," Henry said.

New Zealand won that match, in Wellington, 21-11 and have never lost to Ireland.

Joe Rokocoko and centre Ma'a Nonu are the only survivors from the Murrayfield match among the backs. Rokocoko will win his 50th cap on the right wing as Sitiveni Sivivatu comes in on the opposite flank with Anthony Tuitavake dropping out of the 22.

Mils Muliaina starts at fullback with Isaia Toeava on the bench, centre Richard Kahui makes way for Conrad Smith and scrumhalf Piri Weepu drops to the bench to allow Jimmy Cowan to form a halfback pairing with Carter.

Lock Ali Williams and hooker Keven Mealamu are the only survivors from the pack that started against the Scots.

McCaw will be captaining the All Blacks for the 31st time in a Test, taking him to second place on the All Blacks Test captains list behind Sean Fitzpatrick (51).

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 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.

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

365