Carter at 10 for experimental All Blacks

Dan Carter will make his first Test start of the year when the All Blacks play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Carter, who came off the bench against the USA but played no part in the game against England, replaces Aaron Cruden, who falls out of the match 23.

In other changes to the backline, TJ Perenara starts at scrumhalf, and there is a new midfield combination of Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa. Ben Smith moves to fullback, with Colin Slade on the right wing and Charles Piutau on the left.

Among the forwards, James Parsons will make his Test debut at hooker, with Jeremy Thrush and Dominic Bird in the second row after Brodie Retallick (shoulder) and Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder) were ruled out through injury.

Loose forward Jerome Kaino (knee) was also not considered for selection, with Richie McCaw making his first Test start in the No 6 jersey, Sam Cane at openside flank and Victor Vito at No 8.

On the bench, the forward reserves are hooker Dane Coles, props Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett, lock Luke Romano and loose forward Liam Messam, while the back reserves are scrumhalf Augustine Pulu, midfielder Sonny Bill Williams and wing Julian Savea.

All Blacks – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Colin Slade, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Richie McCaw (c), 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Julian Savea.

Photo: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images

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