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 Williams, who was playing in Australia's National Rugby League
last month before crossing codes again to try to make the All
Blacks' World Cup squad, was named at his preferred inside centre
position in the side to face the Eagles.
He had been expected to start in order for coach Steve Hansen to get
him back up to speed in the 15-man game after he played a part in
two games in New Zealand's provincial championship before being
selected in the squad.
Cruden had also been expected to come back into the side after being
disciplined for missing the team's flight to Argentina in September
following a boozy night out.
The 25-year-old was supplanted by Beauden Barrett as the starter for
the latter part of the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship
though he was brought back into the squad for the third Bledisloe
Cup match in Brisbane two weeks ago but not named in the matchday
team.
 His inclusion in the pivotal role means Daniel Carter will make his
return to international rugby off the bench after he proved his
fitness following a broken leg sustained in the Super Rugby final in
early August.
Carter, the world's leading points scorer, has barely played at all
this year following a six-month sabbatical and slow recovery from
the broken leg.
Rookie hooker Nathan Harris will also make his first start after he
came off the bench against Argentina last month, while scrumhalf TJ
Perenara also makes his first start in his eighth test as Hansen
gives less experienced squad players some valuable game time.
Number eight Kieran Read will captain the side with openside flanker
Richie McCaw rested and his understudy Sam Cane given the chance to
start for the first time this season after seven appearances off the
bench.
"It's another chance for those selected to pull on the jersey and
play well," Hansen said in a statement.
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"On this ... Northern tour, we want to give all the players in
the squad the opportunity to grow their game - and we also want to
develop our game as a team - and it starts on Saturday.
"While we are giving a number of players another opportunity this
weekend, our expectation is that they will play to the highest level
and we get a quality performance."
New Zealand: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Cory Jane, 13-Ryan Crotty, 12-Sonny
Bill Williams, 11-Charles Piutau, 10-Aaron Cruden, 9-TJ Perenara,
8-Kieran Read (captain), 7-Sam Cane, 6-Victor Vito, 5-Patrick
Tuipulotu, 4-Jeremy Thrush, 3-Charlie Faumuina, 2-Nathan Harris,
1-Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Ben Franks,
19-Brodie Retallick, 20-Liam Messam, 21-Augustine Pulu, 22-Daniel
Carter, 23-Julian Savea
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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