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Luke McAlister will start his first Test for New Zealand in almost two years against Italy in Christchurch on Saturday.

McAlister's last start was at inside centre against the French in the All Blacks' ill-fated Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff in 2007.

But at AMI Stadium this weekend the 25-year-old will take over the fly-half duties from Stephen Donald, who has failed to overcome a hamstring strain he suffered in last weekend's win against France in Wellington.

It has been a rapid comeback to New Zealand rugby for McAlister (pictured) since his decision to return home after two years playing for English club Sale Sharks.

Special dispensation was granted which allowed him to be considered for All Blacks selection immediately but it was intended that he would play for the Junior All Blacks in June before Richard Kahui's shoulder injury saw him fast-tracked into the senior squad.

McAlister has come off the bench in both Tests against France and has now been handed the number shirt after two mediocre performances by Donald, who had been hoping to cement himself at pivot in the absence of the injured Daniel Carter.

Coach Graham Henry has made seven changes to his starting line-up. Scrum-half Brendon Leonard and lock Ali Williams have both recovered sufficiently from hamstring and Achilles injuries respectively to be named in the run-on side.

Only Keven Mealamu has survived in the front row from last week with Wyatt Crockett making his debut at loosehead and John Afoa replacing Neemia Tialata, who has a neck problem.

Specialist loosehead Tony Woodcock is given a rest with a spot on the bench and the coaches have gone for a second prop in a five-two reserves split in tighthead Owen Franks.

Isaac Ross drops to the bench to make way for Williams in the second row but the loose forward trio of Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer and Kieran Read get another chance to build on last weekend's solid first outing as a combination.

Conrad Smith's hamstring injury has flared again meaning Isaia Toeava slots in at centre, while Lelia Masaga will make his Test debut on the right wing.

Italy have yet to name their side but are also expected to make wholesale changes after chopping and changing their line-up in the two Tests against Australia.

Italy's New Zealand-born winger Kaine Robertson, who scored a try in the first Test against the Wallabies but missed out on the second, said the Europeans were expected to field their top side against the All Blacks in the hope of avoiding a thrashing.

"It will be by far the toughest game we've had on tour," Robertson said.

"Our goal was just to be competitive in the three games. We're trying to keep our head high in the three games, not just get destroyed by 60-odd points."

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina (captain), 14-Lelia Masaga, 13-Isaia Toeava, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Joe Rokocoko, 10-Luke McAlister, 9-Brendon Leonard, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Tanerau Latimer, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-John Afoa, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16-Aled de Malmanche, 17-Tony Woodcock, 18-Owen Franks, 19-Isaac Ross, 20-George Whitelock, 21-Piri Weepu, 22-Cory Jane.

PA Sport / / Reuters