Duo set for All Blacks debuts

Wellington forwards John Schwalger and Ross Filipo will make their New Zealand debuts against Canada in Hamilton on Saturday.

Filipo and Greg Rawlinson were called into the squad at the weekend after injuries to Ali Williams and Keith Robinson.

Schwalger has warmed the bench the during the All Blacks first two Tests of the season against France and will form part of an all Hurricanes front row alongside Neemia Tialata and hooker Andrew Hore.

Full-back Mils Muliaina and fly-half Daniel Carter return from injury but captain Richie McCaw is rested, while Reuben Thorne will captain the side.

Rico Gear has re-joined the All Blacks and Ma'a Nonu has been released to join the Junior All Blacks in Dunedin.

The return of Gear, who has played in 17 Tests for the All Blacks, is prompted by impending paternity leave for wing Doug Howlett, who will not travel to South Africa.

Chris Jack will also miss the opening match of the Tri-Nations title defence because of the impending birth of his first child.