Nehe Milner-Skudder will line up at fullback for Robbie Deans' World XV against Japan in Osaka on Friday night in a starting side that will also feature All Blacks squad members Dillon Hunt and Jackson Hemopo.

Milner-Skudder was a notable exclusion from the All Blacks' 32-man squad to tour Japan and Europe but will get a chance to impress against the World Cup hosts before joining up with the All Blacks' 51-man squad to face the same opposition a week later.

MURRAY WILSON/STUFF Jackson Hemopo, centre, and Nehe Milner-Skudder, right, will start for the World XV on Friday night.

New Blues recruit Ma'a Nonu will also start at No 12, while recently retired All Black Wyatt Crockett will take a place on the bench.

The side will be captained by former All Blacks and Crusaders No 9 Andy Ellis.

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MATT ROBERTS/GETTY IMAGES Former Wallabies and Crusaders coach Robbie Deans will once again take charge of the World XV.

The strong Kiwi influence in the side continues with Tevita Li and Toni Pulu starting on the wings while Ricky Riccitelli and Augustine Pulu have been named among the 10 replacements.

The World XV are bidding for a third straight victory over the Brave Blossoms, having beaten Japan a few weeks prior to their shock win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, when also coached by Deans.

Ellis, who now plays alongside Dan Carter at Kobe Kobelco Steelers, also led the World XV last year when they beat Japan 47-27 at Fukuoka.

The game kicks off at 11pm (NZT).

AT A GLACE

World XV lineup against Japan: 1. Craig Millar (Sunwolves, Panasonic), 2. Adrian Strauss (Bulls, South Africa) 3. Hencus van Wyk (Sunwolves, Sanix) 4. Sam Carter (Brumbies, Australia) 5. Jason Jenkins (Bulls, Toyota) 6. Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders, New Zealand) 7. Dillon Hunt (Highlanders, New Zealand) 8. Leonardo Senatore (Jaguares, Argentina) 9. Andrew Ellis (Kobe, New Zealand, captain) 10. Lionel Cronje (Toyota) 11. Tevita Li (Highlanders, North Harbour) 12. Ma'a Nonu (Blues, New Zealand) 13. Harold Vorster (Panasonic) 14. Toni Pulu (Chiefs) 15. Nehe Milner Skudder (Hurricanes, New Zealand)

Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders, New Zealand), Ben Alexander (Brumbies, Australia), Ben Gunter (Panasonic), Willie Britz (Sunwolves, NTT), Augustine Pulu (Hino, Blues, New Zealand), Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias (Jaguares, Argentina), Keisuke Moriya (Panasonic), Nili Latu (Hino, Tonga), Corne Fourie (Panasonic)