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New Zealand have made four changes to their starting side for the second Test against France in Wellington in the wake of their surprise 27-22 loss in Dunedin last weekend.

Outside centre Conrad Smith and blindside flanker Jerome Kaino (pictured) were both rushed back into the run-on side after missing the opening match with injuries.

Hooker Keven Mealamu and openside flanker Tanerau Latimer were also promoted to the starting line-up after Andrew Hore and Adam Thomson were ruled out, joining a long casualty list of 12 unavailable players.

"The return of Jerome and Conrad from injury will be a boost for the guys," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.

"The team was disappointed with the way they played in last weekend's loss to France and are looking forward to making big improvements this week."

Hore was replaced by Mealamu after suffering rib cartilage damage in the series opener, while Latimer, who made his test debut off the bench last week, starts at the expense of Adam Thomson, who broke a bone in his hand.

Isaia Toeava's demotion to the reserves bench at the expense of Lelia Masaga makes way for Smith, who was cleared to play after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Number eight Liam Messam was left out of the 22-man squad, prompting Kieran Read, who started at blindside flanker in the first test, to switch to the back of the scrum.

Hooker Aled de Malmanche and backrower George Whitelock, both uncapped, were added to the bench of a squad devastated by injuries to senior players, including skipper Richie McCaw, vice-captain Rodney So'oialo and flyhalf Daniel Carter.

"It's not an experiment," forwards coach Steve Hansen told the New Zealand Press Association. "These are the guys we believe are the best available so we've selected them.

"A number of people didn't play well because the French didn't allow us to and we didn't front up."

Team: 15-Mils Muliaina (captain), 14-Cory Jane, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Joe Rokocoko, 10-Stephen Donald, 9-Jimmy Cowan, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Tanerau Latimer, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Isaac Ross, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Neemia Tialata, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16-Aled de Malmanche, 17-John Afoa, 18-Bryn Evans, 19-George Whitelock, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Luke McAlister, 22-Isaia Toeava

Reuters