Weepu forces an opening in the Irish defence during the clash with Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday night © Getty Images

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Matches: Munster 16 - 18 New Zealand

Teams: Ireland | Munster | New Zealand

Wellington scrum-half Piri Weepu will captain New Zealand for the first time against Munster at Thomond Park.

Joe Rokocoko's return to international rugby provides a tantalising match-up with former provincial teammate and All Blacks wing rival Doug Howlett when New Zealand mark the 30th anniversary of their famous loss to Munster in Limerick on Tuesday.

Rokocoko, who made his test comeback from a 13-month lay-off against Scotland on November 8 before backing up to play in last night's 22-6 defeat of Ireland, is the only member of the All Blacks starting line-up from Croke Park to run on in the tourists' one-off midweek match. But eight other players who helped protect the All Blacks' unbeaten test record against the Irish will also feature in some capacity.

Weepu, who becomes the All Blacks 64th captain, starts at halfback inside Daniel Carter's understudy Stephen Donald. Isaia Toeava runs on at second five-eighth and Corey Flynn starts at hooker for the first time on tour as Keven Mealamu is understandably rested.

Tighthead prop John Afoa and looseforward Kieran Read, who both came on in the final quarter last night, are again included on the bench alongside two first choice selections -- lock Brad Thorn and fullback Mils Muliaina.

Thorn's thirst for work is undiminished while Muliaina will see more game time after making an impressive tour debut last night after belatedly joining the tour party.

The match designed to commemorate Munster's 12-0 defeat of Graham Mourie's Grand Slam winners in 1978 was also always intended to give uncapped players an opportunity to start their international careers.

Subsequently Taranaki openside flanker Scott Waldrom and Canterbury tighthead prop Ben Franks have been awarded their first All Black jersies while Hawke's Bay hooker Hikawera Elliot and Wellington halfback Alby Mathewson -- both summoned as replacements for injured players -- will also represent the team for the first time.

The match is also significant for Taranaki lock Jason Eaton, a 10-test second rower who last played for New Zealand in the victory over France in Paris on the 2006 end-of-year tour.

He needed a knee reconstruction after the 2007 Super 14 campaign with the Hurricanes, finally making his comeback in this year's tournament before regaining form in the Air NZ Cup. Howlett, who joined the reigning Heineken Cup champions after last year's failed World Cup campaign, is one of three Munster backs with a New Zealand connection.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said: "The Munster match will be a special occasion for the team, and the guys are really looking forward to visiting Limerick. The team also knows that it will be a hard, physical match against the European club champions."

Munster coach Tony McGahan has also named his side for the clash and it will be led by lock Mick O'Driscoll.

Although stripped the internationals involved in last weekend's loss to New Zealand, the Munster boss has included all the players that have been released from the extended training camp.

Former All Blacks winger Doug Howlett will start at fullback for the province while Kiwi centres Rua Tipoki and Lifemi Mafi will also line up against some old friends. Elsewhere, Denis Leamy returns from a shoulder operation and and is named at No.8 alongside James Coughlan and Niall Ronan.

Paul Warwick will orchestrate the side from fly-half and will partner Peter Stringer while Barry Murphy and Ian Dowling have been named on the wings. In the front row, Freddie Puciariello and Frankie Sheehan are joined by Tim Ryan, while his namesake Donnacha Ryan partner's O'Driscoll in the second row.

Prop Tony Buckley, who appeared as a second half replacement in the defeat to the All Blacks at Croke Park has been named on the bench.

The match, also officially reopening a redeveloped Thomond Park, is a 26,000-seat sell out despite the fact both sides will be lacking star quality.

Munster: D Howlett; B Murphy, R Tipoki, L Mafi, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; F Pucciariello, F Sheahan, T Ryan; M O'Driscoll capt, D Ryan; J Coughlan, N Ronan, D Leamy.

Replacements: D Fogarty, T Buckley, M Melbourne, B Holland, J O'Sullivan, M Prendergast, J Manning.

New Zealand: C Jane; H Gear, A Tuitavake, I Toeava, J Rokocoko; S Donald, P Weepu (capt); J Mackintosh, C Flynn, B Franks, R Filipo, J Eaton, A Thomson, S Waldrom, L Messam.

Replacements: H Elliott, J Afoa, B Thorn, K Read, A Mathewson, R Kahui, M Muliaina.