New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter will play his first Test for the All Blacks since November 2008 but stressed that he won't be trying to pull off miracles as the All Blacks aim to get their Tri-Nations campaign back on track.

The 27-year-old Carter, widely rated the world's best number 10, has been rushed into the team after an indifferent run of Tests from the All Blacks since June, losing once against France and twice against the Springboks.

"Obviously not playing for so long, anxiety can tend to kick in but we have a great bunch of guys and I've got a bit of experience so I know what works for myself," Carter said.

"There's always going to be the external expectation but I know one man's not going to change a team. We've got to change a lot of things to get the success back into the side," he added.

"All I can worry about is doing my job well... I'm not going to go out there and try and pull off miracles.

"Obviously not playing for so long, anxiety can tend to kick in but we have a great bunch of guys and I've got a bit of experience so I know what works for myself."

Carter takes over from Stephen Donald, who has played erratically in the crucial flyhalf role.

Luke McAlister has also been in patchy form since resuming his All Black career in June after a two-year stint with Sale in Britain but was preferred over Nonu, who has not been at his line-breaking best so far in the Tri-Nations.

Carter was looking forward to renewing his combination with McAlister which ended after the fateful 2007 World Cup quarterfinal with McAlister's shift to England.

"It does [take the pressure off]. Obviously the game's steering towards a lot of kicking and having that left-right combination like the Wallabies, with Luke's kicking ability and experience to the playmaker role will bring value to the side."

AFP