New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made seven changes ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations clash against the Wallabies in Auckland.

And all seven changes are to the All Blacks' starting XV - from the starting outfit that trounced the Springboks 40-7 in the opening Tri-Nations match in Wellington last weekend.

Four forwards will play their first Tests of the year: Owen Franks replaces brother Ben at tighthead prop, Keven Mealamu is back at hooker, Brad Thorn is at lock alongside Ali Williams and Kieran Read returns at No.8.

In the backs, Piri Weepu has been picked at halfback - making his first Test start since last year's Bledisloe Cup victory in Sydney - powerhouse Hosea Gear returns from his recent hamstring injury to start his first Test of the year on the left wing and Sitiveni Sivivatu returns at No.14.

Weepu replaces Jimmy Cowan, Gear is in for Zac Guildford and Cory Jane makes way for Sivivatu - Cowan, Guildford and Jane all missing out altogether this week. The men to miss out up front are Franks (Ben), Andrew Hore, Sam Whitelock and Adam Thompson - all of whom drop down to the bench against the Wallabies.

All Blacks midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will set a new milestone this weekend - they will play their 29th Test together, becoming the most experienced midfield partnership in All Blacks history - whilst first five-eighth Daniel Carter will play his 82nd Test and joins the top five list of most-capped All Blacks ever, behind captain Richie McCaw (96), Mils Muliaina (96), Sean Fitzpatrick (92) and Mealamu (83).

Coach Graham Henry said the All Blacks would be expecting a completely different level of intensity on Saturday compared to that posed by the Springboks last weekend.

"There is no doubt that the intensity levels will rise for this Test," he said.

"It's game one in a two-match Bledisloe Cup series involving the teams ranked number one and two in the world.

"It's a hugely important Test and is going to be a massive challenge, but we are looking forward to that," added the long-time Kiwi boss.

* Injured prop John Afoa (cheekbone) was unavailable for selection while several other All Blacks who have had recent injuries are continuing their return to rugby.

Prop Tony Woodcock turned out for his North Harbour ITM Cup side against Manawatu on Tuesday night, fullback Israel Dagg hopes to play for his Napier Pirates club side on Saturday, while Isaia Toeava will be available for Auckland's Battle of the Bridge match against North Harbour on Sunday.

Meanwhile, outside back Ben Smith, who was providing injury cover for the All Blacks squad, has returned to his Otago ITM Cup side.

** The All Blacks and Wallabies have played each other 140 times, with 95 wins to the All Blacks, 40 to Australia and five draws.

The last Test between the two sides was in Hong Kong last October which Australia won 26-24.

The New Zealand team: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.

Date: Saturday, August 6
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Glen Jackson