Mealamu will join an illustrious list this weekend when he leads out the All Blacks at Twickenham © Getty Images

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News: Henry hails 'special' Mealamu

Matches: Scotland 6 - 32 New Zealand

Players/Officials: Keven Mealamu

Teams: New Zealand

Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter will initially be watching from the bench while Rodney So'oialo is positioned in the stands at Murrayfield.

But new All Blacks captain Keven Mealamu will not be lacking leadership assistance when New Zealand open their Grand Slam rugby campaign against Scotland tomorrow. Given Mealamu will be the most experienced All Black running out against the Six Nations' wooden spooners, it seem unlikely the veteran of 61 tests will require much in the way of guidance.

But just in case the hooker's vision is clouded by the tight exchanges, head coach Graham Henry has nominated five lieutenants to ease the burden. The All Blacks' management's belief in sharing the leadership responsibilities is indicative of their approach to this tour -- and an opponent considered the easiest of the four Home Unions to overcome.

After making 12 personnel changes to the side that beat the Wallabies in Hong Kong last weekend Henry expanded on his selection philosophy on the eve of a test New Zealand are overwhelming favourites to win -- despite resting the bulk of their optimum line-up.

In Henry's eyes the Scottish provide the ideal opportunity for the All Blacks coaching staff to expose new caps to the demands of international football, while giving established players more of a say in implementing -- or modifying -- the game plan. To the end Mealamu will have 57-cap lock Ali Williams as an advisor in the pack while Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu and Joe Rokocoko have their own areas to govern in the backs.

"We have a policy of having six leaders on the field," Henry said. "They've spoken to the leaders who have been appointed for the year about their roles and what is expected (for this test). They're learning that job as well."

There is a crossover with Mealamu and Williams already fixtures in the main leadership group but for the likes of Nonu and a fully fit Rokocoko -- who plays his first test since the All Blacks' World Cup quarterfinal defeat 13 months ago -- tomorrow's test is an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills.

In the amateur era those attributes would have been fostered during midweek games -- but the advent of professionalism and the associated shortening of tours means the All Blacks have to fast-track the process in tests.

The All Blacks do play Heineken Cup champions Munster after the Irish test in Dublin next weekend, though that fixture is an aberration -- a match designed to mark the province's 12-0 defeat of Graham Mourie's original Grand Slam All Blacks in 1978.

"This is the only opportunity of developing a rugby team with some depth to it," Henry said. "You can't do it in a one-off game against Australia or South Africa and hopefully we'll come back to New Zealand with a much stronger unit and greater competition for places."

In the absence of Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu marshalled the back three against the Wallabies while tomorrow his cousin Rokocoko will be tasked with keeping an eye on makeshift fullback Isaia Toeava and Anthony Tuitavake -- who plays just his sixth test.

Rokocoko's 49th test presents an interesting challenge for the Aucklander, who Henry said often placed unnecessary expectations on himself.

"He's played 48 test matches for 43 tries and I think he should think about that occasionally," Henry said. "He always put a lot of pressure on himself to produce that quality performance," said Henry, who was not expecting miracles from his try-scorer extraordinaire. It just takes a wee bit of time for Joe to get his feet under the table again. He's that sort of person, but I think he'll show some touches."

The Scottish test also represented a watershed moment for debutant loose forwards Liam Messam, Kieran Read and prop Jamie Mackintosh.

The trio's selection amid a raft of changes from Hong Kong has barely raised a murmur back home, pleasing the coaching staff who hope the New Zealand rugby public have got to grips with the need to manage playing resources through a tough five-test schedule.

"I've been really pleased," said assistant coach Wayne Smith. "I think New Zealanders know a lot of these players as the form players of the Air New Zealand Cup and they had good Super 14s as well. They'll be genuinely excited these guys are getting a crack."