KEY POINTS:
LONDON - While England have scrabbled around to find a team, the All Blacks have rejigged their side deliberately for Monday's return to Twickenham.
Some of the choices have been made to deal with the extended tour itinerary though coach Graham Henry has spoken constantly about trusting his
entire squad in tests.
That theme continues for the opening test with senior players blended with others looking to impress for World Cup places as the countdown to those decisions enters another phase.
Nick Evans is slated to take over at first five-eighths to break the seven-game sequence from Daniel Carter - but Evans suffered a hamstring injury and pulled out of training this morning so may now be doubtful.
Ma'a Nonu gets the call at centre and Chris Masoe fills in at the boot of the scrum instead of workaholic Rodney So'oialo.
After more than two years out of the game because of back problems, lock Keith Robinson will bring extra sting for the confrontation with England.
His recall bolsters a pack which will be in for a heavy-duty set-piece confrontation from England whose coach Andy Robinson was upbeat yesterday about his side's chances of ending a five-test losing streak.
The All Black front five are the premium tight forwards in the party but there may be concerns about the endurance and match-rust in the loose forwards.
A hitout against the Heartland XV last week would have helped but Reuben Thorne has not played a serious game since breaking his thumb against the Springboks almost 10 weeks ago.
Masoe was also invalided home after that same test in Pretoria and has seen duty only twice from the bench in the latter stages of the Air New Zealand Cup.
Captain Richie McCaw played in the final test defeat at Rustenburg before his provincial comeback for Canterbury ended after 48 minutes when he suffered a knock to the head.
Instrumental
Enforcer Jerry Collins, who was so instrumental in last year's 23-19 win against England has been saved for France, while there is no room for Anton Oliver.
Robinson travelled to South Africa to watch the All Blacks final Tri-Nations tests and spoke optimistically yesterday about his side attacking the visitors' defensive systems.
"We've got to go on the pitch and go for it, there's no holding back here, there's no waiting for the 30th minute and let's try something," he said.
"Everybody's bought into that. It's okay saying it, but the challenge is there and we're right up for this challenge."
His team would not be mentally seared by their recent record or their opponents.
"We go on this pitch with that ability to challenge New Zealand and a belief we're going to win this game," he said.
"We pick competitive animals that actually get turned on by winning."
England were forced to introduce another new backline cap yesterday when right wing Mark Cueto failed a fitness test and was replaced by Paul Sackey.
His defence will be checked thoroughly if the All Blacks can get the ball wide while tyro Anthony Allen will be asked to defuse the running power of Nonu in midfield.
Only eight of the side which beat England last year on the Grand Slam tour will start on Monday. However coach Henry has picked combinations which have seen test duty before.
The same loose forward mix played the Springboks at Pretoria while the Evans, Aaron Mauger and Nonu alliance started last year against Ireland.
Nonu played the return test against Ireland in Hamilton this year before a broken thumb removed him from rugby until the provincial championship.
In the search for a regular centre to replace Tana Umaga, Nonu gets the initial chance to state his international credentials ahead of Wellington teammate Conrad Smith who has returned for this tour after breaking his leg during the Super 14.
The injury absence of Neemia Tialata who covered both loosehead and tighthead prop, forced the All Blacks to pick two specialist props, John Afoa and Clarke Dermody on the bench.
The selectors felt they had no alternative against such a strong England scrum. With room for just one loose forward, So'oialo, in the reserves, Thorne will cover lock if there are injuries.
* All Blacks v England, Twickenham, 4.30am Monday
ALL BLACKS
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Ma'a Nonu, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher
Forwards: Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (c), Reuben Thorne, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Clarke Dermody, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu.
ENGLAND
Backs: Iain Balshaw, Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Anthony Allen, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Shaun Perry
Forwards: Pat Sanderson, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry (c), Ben Kay, Danny Grewcock, Julian White, George Chuter, Andy Sheridan
Reserves: Lee Mears, Stuart Turner, Chris Jones, Magnus Lund, Peter Richards, Andy Goode, Mark Van Gisbergen.
- Additional reporting: Newstalk ZB
