All Blacks second-five Ma'a Nonu will have to wait another week to play his 100th Test after he was ruled out of the side to play Georgia.
Nonu suffered a shoulder injury, handing in-form Sonny Bill Williams a start in the No.12 jersey at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
Ma'a Nonu at All Blacks training in Auckland Photo: Photosport
There were also injury concerns at first five-eighth with Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade both ruled out with minor injuries, forcing halfback TJ Perenara to cover the position off the bench.
Coach Steve Hansen said the injuries were minor and all the players were expected to be available next week.
As expected wing Waisake Naholo made his first World Cup appearance after returning from a broken leg, with Nehe Milner-Skudder getting the week off.
In the forwards, Hansen benched his usual starting props Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks, with Wyatt Crockett and Charlie Faumuina getting another opportunity to start.
All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Meanwhile, Hansen paid tribute to All Blacks assistant manager Gilbert Enoka, who was involved in his 200th All Blacks match against Georgia. Hansen said Enoka, who first started working with the All Blacks in 2000, was a very important cog in the wheel of the All Blacks machine.
"His contribution is highly valued by all players and management and to be associated with a team for 200 Test matches is a huge achievement, one I'm sure he and his family are very proud of, as we are of him."
New Zealand: 15-Ben Smith, 14-Waisake Naholo, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Richie McCaw (c), 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brodie Retallick, 3-Charlie Faumuina, 2-Dane Coles, 1-Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Malakai Fekitoa
