Recalled All Blacks rugby star Dan Carter says not to expect him to perform miracles against Australia this weekend and has described the development of Wallabies counterpart Matt Giteau as "pretty awesome".

Gifted five-eighth Carter, who has missed New Zealand's last six Tests with an achilles injury he suffered playing club rugby in France, is one of three changes to the team beaten by South Africa in Durban earlier this month.

He replaces Stephen Donald with Luke McAlister coming in at inside centre for Ma'a Nonu.

The only change to the pack was the selection of Kieran Read in place of Rodney So'oialo, who joins Donald and Nonu on the bench.

Carter, who will play his 60th Test, said he wasn't at all apprehensive about returning to international rugby after one club and three provincial games.

He said returning to the international arena was a huge step up, but said he had the experience to cope with the expected lift in intensity.

With New Zealand beaten in their last two Tests by the Springboks in South Africa, Carter was acutely aware of the expectations back home that his return would be the catalyst for a turnaround in the All Blacks fortunes.

"There's always going to be that sort of external expectation, but personally I don't read too much into that," Carter told reporters in Sydney.

"I know that one man is not going to change a team. We've got to change a lot of things to get the success back into the side and all I can worry about is doing my job well.

"I'm not going to go out there and try and pull off miracles or anything like that, I'm just going to go out there and play my game and give 100 per cent and that's all that I can really ask for."

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw reiterated his team couldn't leave everything to Carter.

"To change things we've all got to make sure we improve our roles and improve what we're doing," McCaw said.

"It's nice having him back."

Carter was effusive in his praise of Giteau, who is now widely regarded as a serious challenger to him as the world's best five-eighth after taking on the key position fulltime from last year.

"I think he's extremely settled in that No.10 jersey now after being shifted around from 12 to 9, I think he's the best man for that position," Carter said of Giteau.

"The way he's been playing the last 12 months has been pretty awesome. You always enjoy challenging yourself against the guys who are at the top of their game and I think he's right up there on top of his game."

New Zealand have one injury worry, with McAlister suffering a back spasm in the first minute of training on Tuesday.

He was unable to participate in the session and New Zealand coach Graham Henry said he would be checked again on Wednesday and Thursday, with Nonu on standby.

Henry said McAlister's return would give New Zealand left and right footed kickers and also stressed Nonu's form had slipped of late.

Read, who cited Wallabies and his former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, as a "massive influence", was chosen ahead of So'oialo to bolster New Zealand's lineout.

The All Blacks weren't surprised by the Australian team changes, with McCaw believing rival flanker Rocky Elsom will not be hindered by a lack of recent match play.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Res: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rod So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu.

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