All Blacks: Carter, McAlister return to face Wallabies

All Black Dan Carter's return to international rugby is complete. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - A training injury scare hasn't stopped Luke McAlister being named to partner returning All Blacks first five-eighth Daniel Carter for the first time since the 2007 rugby World Cup against the Wallabies here on Saturday.

McAlister was named at second five-eighth today, amid three changes to the starting lineup as Ma'a Nonu and Rodney So'oialo felt the selectors' axe for the Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup test.

Coach Graham Henry predictably recalled Carter at first five-eighth for Stephen Donald, McAlister at second five-eighth for Nonu, and Kieran Read at No 8 for So'oialo.

That was despite McAlister sitting out nearly the entire training session at North Sydney Oval today with injury, which appeared to be a recurrence of the back spasms which troubled him earlier in the season.

Nonu ran at second-five eighth outside Carter for much of the session but was named on the bench to play his 22nd consecutive test.

Carter and McAlister last combined in the fateful 18-20 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to France in Cardiff in 2007, before McAlister took up a two-season deal with English club Sale.

After a three-month layoff due to knee surgery, he rejoined the All Blacks this year but struggled to recapture his form. His last test start was a scratchy performance at first five-eighth in the 27-6 win over Italy in June.

McAlister, with 27 test caps to his name, stated publicly on more than one occasion that No 12 was his preferred jersey.

Donald and Nonu were the five-eighths combination for the first three Tri-Nations tests; the 22-16 win over the Wallabies in Auckland before dual defeats to the Springboks, by 19-28 in Bloemfontein and 19-31 in Durban.

McAlister's return coincides with Carter's long-awaited comeback for his first test of 2009, and 60th in all, after a lengthy achilles tendon injury layoff.

Carter impressed in Canterbury's win over Waikato at the weekend and slotted straight back at five-eighth at yesterday's training.

Read was rewarded for his strong start to the All Blacks' season with his fifth run-on appearance of the year as So'oialo paid the price for some recent indifferent form.

The 58-test veteran, who played 14 tests last year and captained the All Blacks in four of them - including the 19-34 defeat here a year ago - played strongly off the bench for Wellington at the weekend but hasn't had his usual impact in the black jersey.

It's the first time since 2004 So'oialo hasn't been an automatic starter.

Read also offers a solid lineout option, a facet the All Blacks struggled in against the Springboks.

In the other contentious selection, winger Joe Rokocoko retained his spot for a 58th test ahead of Cory Jane after a two-try haul for Auckland against Northland, which followed a poor South African tour.

Rokocoko said at the weekend he fully expected to be dropped after his South African struggles, but Henry kept faith after the flyer's confidence-boosting match for Auckland.

Prop Owen Franks retains his spot at tighthead prop after a strong run-on debut in South Africa, amid an unchanged tight five.

With Piri Weepu (ankle) ruled out, Brendon Leonard fills the bench halfback's spot behind Jimmy Cowan, while Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche is set for his second test appearance off the bench behind Andrew Hore.

All Blacks team:
Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu

Wallabies team:
James O'Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith (capt), Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.

Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Will Genia, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes.

- NZPA, AAP