Ma'a Nonu was today named as replacement for injured centre Tana Umaga in a New Zealand side featuring nine personnel changes for Friday's World Cup clash against Canada.
The 21-year-old shone against the Italians after being introduced when Umaga went down with posterior cruciate damage in his left knee.
All Blacks management expect to know more about Umaga's future at the World Cup tomorrow, when the swelling on his left knee has subsided further.
Nonu made his Test debut alongside Umaga in New Zealand's first match of the season against England in June but had to wait until last Saturday for his second appearance.
He will start against the Canadians in a centre partnership with Daniel Carter, who assumes the kicking duties after fly-half Carlos Spencer missed three of his four attempts against the Italians.
In Umaga's absence, Spencer has been awarded the vice-captaincy and is one of only six players Mitchell has retained in the starting XV.
Mils Muliaina moves from fullback to the wing, where he began his top class rugby career, allowing Leon MacDonald his first All Blacks start of the year, while Australia-born Steve Devine will start at scrum-half.
Mitchell has rotated his entire front row, with props Carl Hoeft and Kees Meeuws to start either side of hooker Mark Hammett.
Rodney So'oialo comes into number eight and Marty Holah starts on the open-side, with Ritchie McCaw relegated to the bench. Involved in his first Test match, hooker Corey Flynn will start from the bench.
Elsewhere, Dan Vickerman is likely to replace injured lock David Giffin in a reshuffled Wallabies team to play Romania in pool A on Saturday.
The world champions are not scheduled to announce their line-up until tomorrow but Vickerman has been filling in at lock during training sessions in Coffs Harbour this week.
Vickerman replaced vice-captain Giffin in Friday's tournament opener against Argentina when the latter was carried off with a shoulder injury but he is competing with Justin Harrison for the starting spot.
The Wallabies are expected to make at least two changes in the backs, with Matt Giteau replacing Stephen Larkham at flyhalf and Lote Tuquiri taking over from Joe Roff on the left wing.
There is also speculation that Stirling Mortlock, who has not played all year because of injury, could return to outside centre, although Matthew Burke has continued training in the position this week.
New Zealand(v Canada): 15-Leon MacDonald; 14-Mils Muliaina, 13-Ma'a Nonu; 12-Daniel Carter; 11-Caleb Ralph; 10-Carlos Spencer, 9-Steve Devine; 8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Marty Holah, 6-Reuben Thorne (captain), 5-Chris Jack, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Kees Meeuws; 2-Mark Hammett, 1-Carl Hoeft. Replacements: 16-Corey Flynn, 17-Dave Hewett, 18-Richard McCaw, 19-Daniel Braid, 20-Byron Kelleher, 21-Doug Howlett, 22-Ben Blair.