NZ coach Graham Henry has opted for Stephen Donald ahead of Luke McAlister for the Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia.

Donald has recovered quicker than expected from a hamstring injury to make his fifth start at number 10 after missing the All Blacks' previous Test against Italy because of injury.

McAlister, who has overcome a sore back, has been named on the replacements' bench for the match at Auckland's Eden Park.

"We are pleased with the way that Stephen has developed since making his debut last year, he played well under difficult circumstances in the two French Tests this year and we believe that he is the right man for this Test match," Henry said.

There are several players returning from injury in a starting XV that shows 10 changes to the one that disappointed against the Azzurri.

As expected captain and openside flanker Richie McCaw, number eight Rodney So'oialo, hooker Andrew Hore, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, centre Conrad Smith and prop Neemia Tialata have all returned from injury to take their places in the run-on side.

Other changes see Cory Jane come onto the right wing for the underperforming Joe Rokocoko, Jimmy Cowan replacing Brendon Leonard at scrum-half and, in an all-new front row, the return of Tony Woodcock, who has scored five tries against the Wallabies in the last two years, in place of Wyatt Crockett.

Utility back Isaia Toeava, who has a stress fracture in a foot, was the only player not considered because of injury.

"There has been some genuine competition for positions which has been fantastic for the coaches and we have picked what we believe is the strongest team for this particular Test," said Henry.

"It is a team with a huge amount of experience with 500 caps in the starting XV and that's crucial for what will be a huge Test to kick off the Tri-Nations."

The All Blacks and Wallabies have played each other 156 times since 1903, with 106 wins to the All Blacks, 45 to Australia and five draws.

The All Blacks won the last Test between the two countries, 19-14 in Hong Kong last November, and also beat Australia 39-10 in the corresponding fixture at Eden Park in August last year, to extend their unbeaten record at the venue to 19 Tests since 1994.

NZ team: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So'oialo.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko.