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The emphasis, no doubt, will be on Danny Cipriani's departure from the England starting XV. Arguably the greater attention should be focused on another London Wasps player who reverts to the replacements against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, Tom Rees, who has been for many the outstanding individual of England's disappointing autumn series.

There are valid reasons for the demotion of both players but Martin Johnson, the team manager, chose not to embrace them yesterday. His belief is that his squad includes players who have yet to be given the fullest of opportunities during the Investec Challenge Series and this is his last chance to see what Toby Flood, Michael Lipman and Nick Kennedy can do in the crucible provided by the All Blacks.

Privately he may welcome the opportunity to demonstrate to Cipriani that he is not the only option at fly half. Johnson has demonstrated the faith he has in the 21-year-old by picking him for the past three internationals, but he will also have in mind that Flood has played consistently for Leicester this season and has had a recent look at Dan Carter, the New Zealand fly half, having played against him in Christchurch in June, if only for half an hour.

“If I was the coach, I would probably have done the same thing,” Cipriani said, acknowledging his inconsistent form and that he helped South Africa to a half-time lead last weekend that they did not necessarily merit, after having a kick charged down by Ruan Pienaar for the Springboks' second try. “Last week wasn't the greatest, but I'm still only seven games after my injury [last May's dislocation and fracture of his right ankle]. Shaun [Edwards, his head coach at Wasps] said it took him about ten games after a major injury to recover his form.”

This raises another question, over whether Cipriani should have been left to play club rugby this autumn, but the player insists that he was not being asked too much too soon and that his confidence remains intact.

“I made it clear that this was what I wanted, to be back as soon as possible,” he said. “I think I showed glimpses against Australia. I didn't expect to be world class after seven games back. Now I have a different job off the bench. I could be on in the first minute and I have to make sure I'm firing.”

Rees, the open-side flanker, has the greater grouse because his form has been consistent, but Johnson wanted to give Lipman a start during the autumn and a slight hamstring strain is said to be the reason that he did not play last week. “Tom played his best game of the series against South Africa,” Johnson said. “But Michael's fresh, eager and ready to go.”

It is highly relevant that Rees has spent this month plying his trade against the very best - Nili Latu, of the Pacific Islanders, George Smith, of Australia, and Schalk Burger, of South Africa - and that his position exposes him to more physical demands than most. “I don't feel I needed a break,” Rees said. “It's tough to play four games like this, it's a challenge you look forward to, though there can be after-effects down the line, either with your club or later in the season.”

Not even New Zealand have started Richie McCaw, their open-side and captain, in all four games in the British Isles this month, so Rees is in good company. Kennedy, the third change from the side beaten 42-6 by the Springboks, returns at lock after a strained calf muscle ruled out Tom Palmer. Johnson could have given Simon Shaw the starting place but he knows what Shaw can do; he does not yet know what Kennedy can offer against the best team in the world.

Riki Flutey has recovered from a strained hamstring in time to play against his countrymen, although given last week's saga with Andrew Sheridan, who was in then out against South Africa and has yet to return because of a damaged neck, he has the rest of the week to get through. Flutey was born in the Wairarapa in New Zealand's North Island and the All Blacks will be keen to remind him of the fact.

He had to come to England to establish his best position, at inside centre, having played in both half-back positions and full back. Flutey will not offer a haka of his own, as Munster's New Zealanders did last week against the All Blacks. “At the back of my mind I may be humming the New Zealand anthem,” he said, “but I'll sing the National Anthem loud and proud.”