Gear named to make debut for All Blacks
Winger Hosea Gear will make his Test debut and star flyhalf Daniel Carter will play at inside centre in the New Zealand starting lineup against Australia in a Bledisloe Cup rugby match at Hong Kong on Saturday.
Gear, who was the top tryscorer in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship which ended last weekend, was selected on the right wing for the All Blacks.
"Hosea has been outstanding in the (NPC). He comes into the team in fantastic form," All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said in a statement.
Stephen Donald will play at flyhalf, starting a Test match for the first time, while Carter, who recently returned to New Zealand after playing for the French club Perpignan, moves into the midfield.
"Stephen has taken his opportunities this year and he was influential when he came on in the last Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane and deserves to start," Henry said.
Neemia Tialata will start at tighthead prop and Greg Somerville, who was added to the All Blacks squad to provide injury cover for John Afoa, has been named on the bench.
The sold-out Hong Kong match marks the first time New Zealand and Australia have met in a test outside their home nations, other than at a World Cup. It is a fourth match in the 2008 Bledisloe Cup series, which New Zealand has already secured 2-1.
Both teams travel to Europe after the match for end-of-season Test matches.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Anthony Boric, Adam Thompson, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Isaia Toeava.
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