Williams in, Kaino out
Williams returns for the encounter with the Wallabies – in Sydney on Saturday – after serving his four-match suspension.
On the flipside, Jerome Kaino has been dropped for the a match that doubles as a Bledisloe Cup encounter.
In a revamped line-up with six changes to the side which drew 15-all in the last Test of the recent series against the British and Irish Lions, only halves Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith remain from the starting backline.
Fledgling international Damian McKenzie gets his chance to take a claim at fullback, with Ben Smith, who is taking a break from Test rugby in two weeks, moving to the wing.
Ryan Crotty and Rieko Ioane return from injury and illness respectively.
"This Test will give us a great opportunity to gauge where we are at when it comes to things we have been working on since the Lions Tour," coach Steve Hansen said.
Double World Cup winner Williams has not played for seven weeks since being suspended for a dangerous shoulder charge that saw him sent off in the second Test against the Lions.
The suspension meant he missed the All Blacks warm up match last Friday against two provincial sides in New Zealand but he has slotted straight into his regular slot since arriving in Australia.
"He's certainly raring to go. He's done his four-game suspension. It's been an awkward time for him, it's been tough," assistant coach Ian Foster said.
"He's made sure that he has used that time smartly, he's trained well and been able to get on top of a couple of niggles."
The 81-Test Kaino, who has been yellow carded in his last two matches including the final Test against the Lions, gives way to Liam Squire in the six jersey.
Disciplinary problems figured highly in the inability of the world champion All Blacks to put away the Lions with penalties enabling the Lions to win the second Test and draw the third.
"There's a real sense of excitement within the group and a desire to go out and perform well this weekend," Hansen said.
"We've had a great build-up here in Sydney and there's a single-minded focus. We're playing for our most significant trophy outside of the Rugby World Cup and it means a lot to us as a team."
The last time the All Blacks played the Wallabies they won 37-10 in the third Bledisloe Cup match in October last year.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Thomas Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Date: Saturday, August 19
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Kick-off: 20.00 (22.00 NZ time; 10.00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Andy Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
