Hodgson, the most naturally talented fly-half available to England boss Sir Clive Woodward, has been shackled by injuries during the past 12 months.

But separate knee problems that wrecked Hodgsons World Cup and 2004 RBS 6 Nations hopes have finally relented, allowing the Sale Sharks playmaker a golden opportunity as Wilkinson continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.

I am very excited to be involved, said Hodgson, who hasnt started a Test since featuring at inside centre against Wales almost 16 months ago.

Its a massive challenge for me and a difficult task playing away from home in New Zealand.

I suppose people will be looking to see if I can do the same job as Jonny, and they are big boots to fill.

But at the end of the day, Ive got to concentrate on my own game and hope to bring something to the England side that maybe Jonny hasnt.

Ive had a rough time with injuries, and I see this as a bit of reward for all the hard work Ive had to put in.

Hodgson, also elevated to Englands premier goalkicker, will have the comforting presence of 63 times-capped Mike Catt alongside him.

Catt has been asked to fill a New Zealand-style second five-eighth role, and if he produces anything like the performance that buckled Englands brave World Cup quarter-final opponents Wales last November, then the All Blacks could face a torrid time at their so-called House of Pain in Dunedin.

Catt, though, has also been around long enough to realise an All Blacks back division containing such devastating match-winners as Carlos Spencer, Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett, will cut loose if afforded too many opportunities.

If the New Zealand backs get the right type of ball, theyve proved in the past two or three years that they can cut anyone apart, said Catt.

Hopefully, Carlos (Spencer) and company wont get a free rein of the field, because if they do, then we are going to be in trouble. Its a massive challenge for us as a back-line to close them out.

Woodward has made seven changes, including one positional switch, from the side beaten by France in Paris 10 weeks ago.

We have gone for an experienced team, said Woodward, after selecting a line-up featuring a combined cap tally of 521, almost 200 more than Graham Henrys All Blacks.
You need an experienced team and you will need battle-hardened people down there in Dunedin.

England, despite being without 14 members of their victorious World Cup squad, will look to continue an impressive domination over Tri-Nations opposition.

They havent lost to either New Zealand, Australia or South Africa since the Springboks beat them in Pretoria four years ago