The All Blacks have made seven changes to their starting line-up for the second Test against Wales in Hamilton on Saturday and star flyhalf Dan Carter remains in doubt.

Three of the changes announced Tuesday have been forced by injury, with fullback Israel Dagg, centre Conrad Smith and lock Anthony Boric all missing after being hurt in the 42-9 first Test thrashing of Wales in Dunedin on Saturday.

Mils Muliaina is returning from a calf injury to resume his 82-Test career at fullback, Richard Kahui slots in at centre and Tom Donnelly returns at lock.

With a lack of recent match play following long injury breaks, questions remain over how Muliaina and Donnelly will settle back into Test rugby.

“We want to get them right for the Tri-Nations and this is an opportunity to have a step in that direction,” coach Graham Henry told reporters.

Exciting winger Zac Guildford gets an opportunity on the left wing in place of Joe Rokocoko, who drops out of the squad altogether.

The outside backs will be covered by the uncapped Rene Ranger on the reserves bench.

Henry said the Auckland Blues winger was a stand-out in the Super 14 and had continued his strong form for the Barbarians against New Zealand Maori earlier this month.

Tony Woodcock and Neemia Tialata return as starting props in the side in place of brothers Owen and Ben Franks, while Jerome Kaino will play blindside flanker in the place of Victor Vito.

Carter starred with 27 points in the first Test, with two tries, four conversions and three penalties but still has a calf niggle following the match.

Henry said he was “hopeful” Carter would recover from the calf strain.

“He thinks he got it early enough before it over-tightened at the weekend so he’s hopeful, but we won’t know for another couple of days,” he said.

But he also heaped praise on back-up flyhalf Aaron Cruden, who has played against Ireland and Wales as a replacement this year after recovering from testicular cancer two years ago.

“He’s a remarkable young kid. He’s only 21 and he runs the ship superbly,” Henry said of Cruden.

“I don’t know anyone better, at his age, at running a team.”

New Zealand (15-1)

Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Benson Stanley, Zac Guildford, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Rene Ranger.