New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter starts against Scotland
Thursday 13 November 2014 10:26, UK
New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter will start a Test for the first time in a year when he plays against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Carter was included in the All Blacks squad which contains a dozen changes to the 23-man pool that edged past England last weekend.
Captain Richie McCaw will play as a blindside flanker for the first time in his test career, allowing Sam Cane a rare chance on the open-side flank.
James Parsons will make an unexpected test debut after being called into the touring squad as a replacement for injured Nathan Harris.
Carter last started a Test against England in November 2013 before taking seven months off, but his planned return was set back when he broke his leg in the Super Rugby final.
He came off the bench for the All Blacks against the United States but took no part in last weekend's win at Twickenham.
Saturday's match is likely to test whether he can pass Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett to reclaim his place as first choice fly-half for New Zealand ahead of next year's World Cup.
Carter is the world's leading test scorer with 1,446 points but the match against Scotland will test whether he still has the sharpness to lead the All Blacks in major matches.
All Blacks coach Steve Hanson said the experimental nature of the All Blacks' lineup did not suggest they were taking Scotland lightly.
"There is an expectation that those who fill the jersey will deliver quality performances," Hanson said.
"We have a lot of respect for the Scots and ... know that they will bring a lot of physicality. We also expect them to want to move the ball. That style certainly suited them last week and makes them, we believe, even more dangerous."
Team to Scotland at Murrayfield:
New Zealand: 15-Ben Smith, 14-Colin Slade, 13-Malakai Fekitoa, 12-Ryan Crotty, 11-Charles Piutau, 10-Daniel Carter, 9-TJ Perenara, 1-Joe Moody, 2-James Parsons, 3-Charlie Faumuina, 4-Jeremy Thrush, 5-Dominic Bird, 6-Richie McCaw (captain), 7-Sam Cane, 8-Victor Vito.
Replacements: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Ben Franks, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Liam Messam, 21-Augustine Pulu, 22-Sonny Bill Williams, 23-Julian Savea
