RICHIE McCaw will become the first rugby union player to captain his country in 100 Tests when New Zealand face Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen has brought his big guns back for the clash in Cardiff, making 12 changes to the side that beat Scotland 24-16 with Ben Smith, Charles Piutau and McCaw the only players to retain their place in the starting XV.

Dan Carter, who made his first Test start of the year in last weekend's encounter at Murrayfield, is not included in the match-day squad, nor is Aaron Cruden, who was given the nod at 10 against England seven days earlier.

Instead Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half, alongside scrum-half Aaron Smith, who was rested for the Scotland clash.

Ben Smith starts a second successive Test at full-back after a Rugby Championship campaign which saw him play in no fewer than three different positions, while Julian Savea and Piutau will play on the wings.

Sonny Bill Williams partners Conrad Smith in midfield.

In the pack, McCaw is joined in the back row by Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino, while locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick return to the second row.

Hooker Dane Coles, who was sin-binned during New Zealand's victory over England, will be flanked by props Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks in the front row.

It is somewhat fitting that McCaw will achieve the milestone against Wales as they were also the opponents when he captained the All Blacks for the very first time a decade ago.

McCaw, who has led New Zealand to 87 wins in his 99 Tests as captain to date, said: "I always just remind myself it's a privilege every time you get to play for and captain the All Blacks.

"I enjoy doing it and to do it for as long as I have I guess I have had a huge sense of enjoyment and learnt a lot doing it.

"To get to a hundred (caps as captain) is something that I'm obviously quite proud of, but you can't do it without a good bunch of people around you, that's something I always bear in mind."

New Zealand: B Smith, C Piutau, C Smith, S Williams, J Savea, B Barrett, A Smith, W Crockett, D Coles, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, R McCaw (captain), K Read. Replacements: K Mealamu, J Moody, C Faumuina, P Tuipulotu, L Messam, TJ Perenara, C Slade, R Crotty.