New Zealand have selected centre Conrad Smith in one of 11 changes to their team to meet Portugal in their World Cup Pool C match in Lyon on Saturday.

Smith (pictured) had been scheduled to make his first start for the All Blacks since last November in the opening match against Italy but was forced to pull out with a hamstring injury.

New Zealand defeated the Italians 76-14 on Saturday.

Prop Greg Somerville returns to the starting line-up after two operations on a torn achilles while Chris Jack and Ali Williams will again lock the scrum because of injuries to Keith Robinson and Reuben Thorne.

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina; 14-Isaia Toeava, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Aaron Mauger, 11-Joe Rokocoko; 10-Nick Evans, 9-Brendon Leonard; 1-Neemia Tialata, 2-Andrew Hore, 3-Greg Somervile, 4-Chris Jack, 5-Ali Williams, 6-Jerry Collins, 7-Chris Masoe, 8-Sione Lauaki.

Replacements: 16-Anton Oliver, 17-Tony Woodcock, 18-Carl Hayman, 19-Rodney So'oialo, 20-Keven Mealamu, 21-Andy Ellis, 22-Leon MacDonald.

Reuters