All Blacks: SBW, Cruden to start

Sonny Bill Williams will start for the All Blacks against the USA on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

From the NRL finals to Chicago's Soldier Field. Two-time rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams has been named at second five-eighth for the All Blacks against the USA on Sunday, with Aaron Cruden returning to play inside his Chiefs' teammate.

Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Kieran Read are the only players in the starting lineup who also started against the Wallabies in Brisbane two weeks ago. With Richie McCaw taking a rare test off, the team will be captained by Read who will lead the side for the eighth time in his 70th test.

The starting backline features the experienced duo of Dagg at fullback and Jane on the right wing, with Charles Piutau on the left wing. Williams returns to the All Blacks midfield for his first game since August 2012, starting alongside Ryan Crotty at centre.

Cruden return to the playmaker's role in the 10 jersey, with TJ Perenara at halfback.

The team will be captained by number eight and 2013 IRB Player of the Year Kieran Read, who will lead the side for the eighth time in his 70th test.

Also in the forwards, Sam Cane starts at openside flanker with Victor Vito on the blindside; Jeremy Thrush and Patrick Tuipulotu are the locking duo in the second row. In the front row, hooker Nathan Harris gets his first test start after coming off the bench against Argentina last month. Joe Moody also gets his second test start at loosehead prop with Charlie Faumuina at tighthead prop.

Young Counties Manukau and Chiefs halfback Augustine Pulu has the opportunity to make his test debut from the bench, while All Blacks test century-maker and world rugby's leading points scorer, first five-eighth Daniel Carter also making his return from injury from the bench. Wing Julian Savea has also been named as the outside back cover.

In the forwards reserves, the All Blacks have the experienced 120-test veteran Keven Mealamu to call on, together with his fellow front rowers Wyatt Crockett and Ben Franks. Brodie Retallick is the reserve lock, with Liam Messam reserve loose forward.

"This is going to be an exciting occasion for the team, playing the USA in front of a record crowd here in Chicago, and it's great to be here representing the All Blacks and New Zealand," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"It's another chance for those selected to pull on the jersey and play well."

"While we are giving a number of players another opportunity this weekend, our expectation is that they will play to the highest level and we get a quality performance."

The All Blacks and USA have played each other three times, most recently at the 1991 Rugby World Cup in Gloucester when the All Blacks won 46-6.

Starting XV (tests in brackets)
1. Joe Moody (5)
2. Nathan Harris (1)
3. Charlie Faumuina (22)
4. Jeremy Thrush (4)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (5)
6. Victor Vito (24)
7. Sam Cane (21)
8. Kieran Read (captain) (69)
9. TJ Perenara (7)
10. Aaron Cruden (35)
11. Charles Piutau (11)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (19)
13. Ryan Crotty (9)
14. Cory Jane (52)
15. Israel Dagg (43)

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu (120)
17. Wyatt Crockett (33)
18. Ben Franks (37)
19. Brodie Retallick (33)
20. Liam Messam (35)
21. Augustine Pulu *
22. Daniel Carter (100)
23. Julian Savea (28)