The All Blacks have made five changes to their team to play Australia in their attempt to avoid finishing last in the Tri-Nations, when the two countries meet in Wellington on Saturday.

Coach Graham Henry was expected to make changes after the All Blacks fell to their third straight loss this year against South Africa last week, but the most surprising was the inclusion of debutant lock Tom Donnelly at the expense of Isaac Ross.

Prop Neemia Tialata returns to the front row in place of Owen Franks and Adam Thomson takes over from Jerome Kaino as blindside flank for the final Tri-Nations Test of the year.

Cory Jane comes in to the starting line-up on the right wing, taking over from Joe Rokocoko who moves to the left wing in place of the injured Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Following the unsuccessful experiment of playing Stephen Donald at inside centre last week, Ma'a Nonu returns in the No.12 jersey and Isaia Toeava takes Nonu's place at outside centre.

The 27-year-old Otago lock, Donnelly, has impressed in this year's Air NZ Cup, Junior All Blacks campaign and in training with the All Blacks squad.

Donnelly's Otago teammate, Thomson, has been rewarded for making a strong showing off the bench in last weekend's 29-32 loss to the Springboks.

Tialata returns to the starting line-up for the first time since the All Blacks Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein in July.

Meanwhile, Daniel Carter heads into this weekend's match as the highest point scorer in Tri-Nations history. He passed Andrew Mehrtens' record of 328 points with his first kick at goal last weekend and currently sits on 345 points in the competition.

The All Blacks have played Australia 134 times since 1903 with 90 wins to the All Blacks, 39 to Australia and five draws.

The All Blacks won the last Test 19-18 in Sydney last month and also won the last Test against Australia in New Zealand, 22-16, in the Tri-Nations opener in July.

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Josevata Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Rodney So'oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Hosea Gear.

Date: Saturday, 19 September
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEST; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)