Carter on Bench as Slade Starts

New Zealand have rested several key players and left fly-half Dan Carter on the bench as they begin their World Cup preparations against Fiji on Friday.

Colin Slade will start his first Test at number 10 and Highlanders team-mate, lock Jarrad Hoeata, makes his debut.

Hoeata partners the experienced Ali Williams, back in the side for the first time since 2008 after injury.

Captain Richie McCaw, who missed most of the Super 15 season because of a foot injury, leads the side.

He will have Adam Thomson and Liam Messam alongside him in the back row, with Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read among those rested.

Centres Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will play their 27th Test together, just one behind the record held by the partnership of Walter Little and Frank Bunce.

Despite the absentees, Graham Henry's starting side in Dunedin will still have 531 caps between them, with another 216 to call on from the bench.

"This is an important test for us as we kick off this year's Test season," said the head coach, mindful of how Fiji's Pacific Island neighbours Samoa upset Australia last weekend.

"You just need to look at how Samoa played against Australia to know that if we underestimate Fiji, we do so at our peril."

The last time the countries met in 2005, the All Blacks won 91-0, but Fiji - who have Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera at open-side - have taken inspiration from Samoa's success in Sydney.

"We believe that Fiji is capable of producing a similar result as the Samoans did against the Wallabies," said team manager Talemo Waqa.

New Zealand play the first match of their Tri-Nations campaign against South Africa on Saturday, 30 July.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan; Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam. Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.

Fiji: Iliesa Keresoni; Timoci Naqusa, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga; Seremaia Baikeinuku, Nemia Serelevu; Campese Ma'afu, Sunia Koto, Deacon Manu (captain), Sekonaia Kalou, Rupeni Nasiga, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera, Sakiusa Matadigo.Replacements: Viliame Veikoso, Setefano Somoca, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Ravulo, Vitori Buatava, Taniela Rawaqa, Vereniki Goneva.