All Blacks to rest stars against Fiji

This week, New Zealand will be taking a similar chance against Fiji in their upcoming charity match on Friday, as Australia took last weekend when they sent out a weakened side to play Samoa at the ANZ Stadium. Whilst the game is primarily an exhibition aimed at raising money for the victims of the recent earthquake in Christchurch, it will still serve as an important training and selection exercise for the All Blacks as they look ahead to the World Cup they will be hosting in September and October.

Just as Matt Giteau found out to his detriment last week, these games in the run up to the World Cup may not be deemed important enough that a strong display will guarantee you a place in the national side's final thirty man squads for the completion, but a poor showing can certainly have the exact opposite effect, and with this in mind, New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter might not be entirely devastated to be left on the bench in favour of Colin Slade for the visit of Fiji on Friday. Those following the Betfair Rugby World Cup 2011 betting should bear this in mind.

The All Blacks will also be making a number of other changes with Jarrad Hoeata making his debut alongside Ali Williams, who finds himself back in the side for the first time in three years after a long run of injuries; and the similarly unlucky-of-late Richie McCaw will lead the side despite missing the best part of the last Super 15 season because of a foot injury. Anyone keeping track of the rugby betting odds will be wondering how he will get on.

However, the side will not have the same inexperienced feel as the Wallabies outfit that lost to Samoa 32-23 a few days ago as they are bolstered by the likes of centres Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith who will be playing their 27th Test together. All in all, the All Black starting XV will boast 531 caps between them, with another 216 to call on from the bench.