FLANKER Elliot Dixon will make his Test debut for New Zealand in the third and final Test against Wales while powerhouse wing Julian Savea is recalled, writes Chris Kirwan.

Steve Hansen brings in Beauden Barrett at fly-half for the injured Aaron Cruden while George Moala gets the nod in midfield for the clash under the roof in Dunedin on Saturday (kick-off 8.35am).

Savea replaces Waisake Naholo out wide, getting the chance to score a 40th try when winning his 43rd cap, after being dropped for last weekend's win in Wellington as the management take the opportunity to look at their wider squad after wrapping up the series with a game to spare.

Prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi and loose forward Liam Squire are poised for a first taste of international rugby off the bench while back-up fly-half Lima Sopoaga will win his second cap.

However, head coach Hansen insists the world champions standards remain as high as ever despite ringing the changes ahead of the Rugby Championship.

He said: "With the series won, it came down to risk and reward and we felt the rewards of seeing these new players in the Test arena, after watching them for three weeks on the training pitch, outweighed any risks.

"It'll be exciting to see these new players making their mark for the first time in the black jersey.

"That said, we're expecting another brutal Test match, with the expectation that Wales will again chuck the kitchen sink at us.

"We've seen over the last two Tests that they're a very good side who play physical, combative and innovative rugby.

"Our own expectations are as high as ever and we'll be looking for continued improvement right across our game.

"Playing here in Dunedin is always something special because of the enclosed stadium.

"There's no need to worry about the weather and it's always a hard and fast pitch, while the proximity of the crowd also creates an awesome atmosphere."

New Zealand: I Dagg, B Smith, G Moala, R Crotty, J Savea, B Barrett, A Smith, J Moody, D Coles, C Faumuina, B Retallick, S Whitelock, E Dixon, S Cane, K Read (captain). Replacements: C Taylor, W Crockett, O Tu'ungafasi, L Romano, L Squire, T Kerr-Barlow, L Sopoaga, W Naholo