Graham Henry has named a very capable looking team to face Australia in Hong Kong on Saturday, with the world’s premier fly-half playing out of position.

Technically, I digress, as Dan Carter did play at second five-eighth – as the inside-centre position in called in New Zealand – when a certain Carlos Spencer was the priority playmaker for the All Blacks.

In the remarkable last 20 minutes of the Brisbane Bledisloe, Carter actually shifted to a position deeper in the line to accommodate understudy Stephen Donald in the crucial pivot’s role.

Many analysts of the game believe this should have happened a year ago, when Nick Evans was as qualified as Carter and the All Blacks brains trust could not decide on either Luke McAlister or Aaron Mauger.

Tactically, it restores a left and right kicking combination for New Zealand, and features two playmakers who embody the new hybrid of fly-halves in All Black rugby – technically sound at the running game as well as marshalling the play from their boots. It ensures that there are two all-purpose rugby players on the field – left and right of the scrum.

This does, however, create two problems. Ma’a Nonu, not only the most physically intimidating line runner, but now the All Black inside-centre incumbent, starts on the bench (somewhat ironic considering he has just re-signed with the NZRU).  But some would argue that the loss of rushing power is counter-acted by a more tactical arsenal.

But it sees New Zealand’s best (or second best) player out of position – where quite simply, three more years of international development for Carter will likely increase the All Blacks' ability to win the World Cup in 2011.

It is, on paper, a full-strength team – and. again on paper, far superior to any international side they will oppose over the next month.

The pack remains the same for the fourth consecutive match, with the exception of Neemia Tialata’s inclusion in the front row. Tony Woodcock and Andrew Hore deserve to be recognised as close to the best in the world in their positions.

The locking partnership of Ali Williams and Brad Thorn has emerged as world class and capable of dominating Springbok and Wallaby jumping combinations, although concerns still lie over Anthony Boric as the senior back-up on the bench – with recalled Ross Filipo and Jason Eaton not required for duty in Hong Kong.

The back row is superb – realistically the reason for the winning of the Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe, with the outstanding combination of skills represented by the brutal Jerome Kaino, magical Richie McCaw and tireless Rodney So’oialo. We have seen further evolution of the All Black captain this season, and to go unbeaten would be a fitting finale in what has all but been an incredible year considering the disappointment of 2007.

A whitewash on this tour would represent a 10-win season, with double victories against the world champions and the Irish, and a hat-trick of wins against World Cup runners-up England and perennial enemies Australia. Add to that the Grand Slam, Tri-Nations, Bledisloe Cup and the winning by McCaw’s Canterbury of both the Super 14 and domestic title.

Jimmy Cowan retains his place, with Piri Weepu’s re-emergence this year again yielding a plethora of international-level halfbacks present in New Zealand rugby.

With Donald and Carter at 10 and 12, they will unleash an excellent three-quarter line, with the calm intelligence of Conrad Smith combining well with his playmakers. The only weakness is the lack of a genuine big man in the backline like the abrasive Nonu.

Hosea Gear, the form wing of New Zealand rugby, gains a most deserved Test debut, fittingly handed to him immediately following the close of the domestic season. On current performance, it would be a travesty for him not to start.

Waikato pairing Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu give immense experience and attacking brilliance to the team, with Chiefs captain Muliaina having probably his best season considering his mortgage on the custodian’s role.

Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Boric, Adam Thompson, Weepu, Nonu and Isaia Toeava round out a very capable bench, especially when considering the quality of those not named in the starting 22.

"These guys (Donald and Carter) haven't played for a while – either of them," Graham Henry said in naming his side to a large gathering of international rugby writers in Hong Kong. After the Wallabies showdown, the All Blacks head for Europe and matches against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.

“We thought it was important to try to have two navigators on the field because of their lack of decent rugby – we think early in the game that will be helpful. Dan has played at Test match level at 12 and it gives us right-foot and left-foot flexibility.”  However, he added: “We don’t see it as a long-term thing but it’s an option we can use”.

Henry also has special mention for Wellington wing Gear, as he sets out to find a long-term incumbent for the problem right-wing position. “He has been in fine form, he’s in great shape and we want to use that in this Test,” said the coach.