FOR the second successive year the All Blacks will gamble on an inexperienced outside centre in the Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia, this time banking on rookie Richard Kahui to handle Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock.

Kiwi captain Richie McCaw has also been tentatively named to start - bracketed with Daniel Braid - despite an ankle injury suffered against England last month which threatened to keep him sidelined for the game, but a decision on his availability will be made later this week.

Kahui was the shock selection at No.13 today, relegating Conrad Smith to the bench for the Tri Nations encounter in Sydney on Saturday.

Smith played in the All Blacks opening two Tri Nations matches alongside Wellington clubmate Ma'a Nonu, and was impressive in defence and on the limited occasions he had the ball. But Kahui's storming debut against England was not forgotten by the New Zealand selectors, and they've thrown him into the lion's den of outside centre where Mortlock reigns supreme.

Last year Mortlock exposed Luke McAlister, who normally played first or second five-eighth but was thrust into the outside centre role. McAlister struggled to cope with Mortlock's speed, power and positional nous and missed a crucial tackle which led to the match-winning try by Scott Staniforth.

Kahui has long been touted as a star in the making in New Zealand. He has dominated the domestic competition and performed well for the Chiefs in the Super 14, but an international Test against the rejuvenated Wallabies will be his toughest examination to date.

In other changes to the side which lost 30-28 to South Africa a fortnight ago, lock Brad Thorn returns from suspension, winger Anthony Tuitavake replaces Rudi Wulf, McCaw or Braid will replace Adam Thomson, and Greg Somerville starting in place of John Afoa who is on the bench.

Veteran fullback Leon MacDonald has missed the squad altogether nursing knocks and bruises.