NEW Zealand will field one of the most inexperienced teams in their history when they take on Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Five new caps are blooded among 10 changes, one positional, from the side which drew with France on Saturday night.

Ten of the All Blacks team have mustered just 15 caps between them.

The new caps are centre Regan King, loose head prop Tony Woodcock, hooker Keven Mealamu, openside Daniel Braid and number eight Rodney So'oialo.

Full back Ben Blair has three caps, scrum half Steve Devine one, locks Keith Robinson and Ali Williams two apiece and tight head prop Carl Hayman seven.

The experienced men are wing Doug Howlett (23), Tana Umaga, who plays at inside centre for the first time (44), wing Jonah Lomu (62), outside half Andrew Mehrtens (65) and skipper and blindside Taine Randell (50).

It is also an extremely young All Black team, with no fewer than eight players 23 or under, six in the pack.

But coach John Mitchell defended the selection of such a young, inexperienced line-up to face Wales.

"It's probably the youngest All Blacks team, but we believe in these guys and in our squad system, we wanted everyone on the tour to start a Test match," he said.

"It's important to let them grow and understand the All Black culture, I'm very happy with their progress.

"They have all prepared in the same way and they deserve the opportunity to show their wares.

"We've got one eye on Wales, but it will be an opportunity to look forward to next year.

"It's important to play everyone and have a look at them or there is no point bringing them.

"A number of them are uncapped, but they are the form players in the NPC (national provincial championship)."

Michell isn't worried about two of the new caps being in the front row.

"We've prepared and we've done plenty of scrummaging," he said. "They'll be ready.

"These guys know this is their opportunity, it's a very good blend and it's exciting.

"Experience is a dangerous word in international rugby. We can look forward and see what they're all made of."

But with the likes of Lumu and Mehrtens in the team, Mitchell still has his heavyweights.

"It's important to surround the new caps with experienced players, and we've got them in the side," he said.

But he still gave his youngsters one final vote of confidence.

"We've certainly got faith in these players, they've got a good future and I'm sure they'll do the All Blacks proud on Saturday."