If you haven't already heard, Dan Carter will line up against the Wallabies this Saturday in the number 12 jersey - which see's Stephen Donald move into first five for his first start as an All Black.

Carter and Donald combined well together in the last Test against Australia, but that was late in the game when Donald came on as a sub - not from the outset.

This is an interesting move by Graham Henry, who persisted with the dual pivots in last year's World Cup, playing Carter and Luke McAllister together. And, while it wasn't the reason we lost to France, it's clear that the combination of Carter and Ma'a Nonu has been working well - so why change it now?

Carter has played second five before - he actually began his Test career in the 12 jersey - but he is now established as the best first five in the world, and that's where he should be playing every game. Donald is a great player, and won't let the side down by any means, but when you've got the worlds best first five in your team you play him there.

The other strange selection is Greg Somerville, who is on the bench for this weekend's clash (he won't travel with the team to Britain). Somerville announced he was retiring from international rugby after the last Test in Brisbane, but has come to the aid of Henry as John Afoa and Ben Franks are carrying injuries, and are therefore unavailable.

Why isn't Jaime Mackintosh on the bench? He is obviously capable, otherwise they wouldn't have taken him on the tour - so bringing Somerville back for one Test seems like a waste of time, especially as the Test is a dead rubber in terms of the Bledisloe Cup.

It's not like the Aussie front row is anything to fear, either. To be honest, they've struggled to put a strong front row on the field for a few years now, and Mackintosh would have no trouble against them.

Hosea Gear is the only new comer to make his debut this week, and he will pair up with Sivivatu on the wing. Gear has been the best winger in the Air New Zealand Cup, and has deserved to be given his first start for the All Blacks. It's important that he doesn't get over-awed by the occasion, and that he sticks to what he does best - running through the opposition with ease.

Here's the full side:

Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (c), Rodney So'oialo, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Hosea Gear, Sitivini Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: Greg Somerville, Kevin Mealamu, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava.