New All Blacks scrum-half Steve Devine is raring to get into the action when he lines up against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Australian-born Devine touched down in London earlier this week to be greeted by the news he might never wear a coveted All Black's jersey.

Because he had played sevens rugby for Australia four years ago, doubts surfaced about his eligibility to represent New Zealand.

But after a frantic 24-hour round of phone calls between the International Rugby Board and New Zealand rugby chiefs, he was given IRB clearance to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Such an alarming distraction would have rattled senior international players, let alone a 25-year-old preparing to make his Test debut.

But Devine, a star performer during Auckland's National Provincial Championship-winning campaign this season, believes he is ready for the task of facing England.

"It was pretty tough when I first heard about it, but I have tried as much as I can to put it out of my mind," said Devine, who is among five new caps on parade this weekend in an unfamiliar-looking All Blacks side.

"Both I and New Zealand Rugby Football Union chief executive officer Steve Tew were confident that things would be okay - and I have tried just to get on with my job here.

"I class myself as a New Zealander - I have been playing there since 1999 - and it is an awesome feeling to be winning my first cap."

Devine was born in Boggabri, New South Wales, but subsequently took up an opportunity to play in New Zealand - and he has never looked back.

Had established All Blacks scrum-halves Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher been available to tour it is doubtful Devine would have even made the trip.

But with Marshall and Kelleher among around 20 top stars either resting or recovering from operations back home, Devine is determined to take his unexpected chance.

"After I arrived in New Zealand, I had a pretty tough start because of injuries," he added.

"At the end of last year I had a phone call asking me to join up with the All Blacks in Argentina, but I couldn't go because I was injured.

"I didn't think I would be here on this tour. But to achieve the goal of playing for New Zealand is obviously something both I and my family are very proud of."

Devine's half-back partner will be his Auckland colleague Carlos Spencer, who has been preferred to record New Zealand international points-scorer Andrew Mehrtens for the England clash.

All Blacks coach John Mitchell is looking for them to transfer their impressive NPC partnership on to the Test match stage, and both players are relishing working with each other.

"Carlos is probably one of the biggest reasons I am playing on Saturday," said Devine.

Spencer added: "I have played a lot of rugby with Steve now and I am looking forward to it. I know the way Steve works."

While New Zealand players freely mingled with the press today, there was one notable absentee - superstar wing Jonah Lomu.

Lomu, England's nemesis at the last two World Cups, remains the biggest box-office attraction rugby union has ever known.

But the 27-year-old, who has scored six tries in six Tests against England and never been on the losing side, ruled himself out of bounds.

Despite numerous interview requests, Lomu decided to impose his own media black-out. But he has indicated he may field questions after Saturday's game.