The decision to move captain McCullum back down to the middle order opens the way for a return for specialist opener Rutherford.
Had McCullum dug his toes in -- on the back of 347 runs in three tests opening against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, and with an opening average of 39.87, slightly superior to his overall 38.19 over his 90-test career -- Rutherford would have been preparing for Otago's first Ford Trophy match against Northern Districts in Alexandra next Sunday instead of aiming to repay the national selectors' faith.
New Zealand pitches have more pace, bounce and seam movement than those in the UAE, so it was felt prudent to move McCullum back down the order and bring back a specialist, rather than stick with Mr Versatile, whom they see as having more impact in the middle order.
"He's a very adaptable player and he's had experience. He's a smart cricketer," national selector Bruce Edgar said, adding McCullum is "absolutely comfortable" with the decision.
"He's that sort of guy, he has the team first approach."
Left-hander Rutherford made a century on test debut 21 months ago but only one 50 in 24 test innings since. His form on the New Zealand A tour to England in August impressed and his return means two lefties going in first, along with the in-form Tom Latham.
With Corey Anderson out through a groin injury, Dean Brownlie is back in the test 13 and vying for the No6 job with Jimmy Neesham, now over a mild groin strain late in the ODI series against Pakistan.
Neesham averages 44 after six tests -- but that number was 64 before four failures against Pakistan. He had a poor return with bat and ball in his two ODIs in the UAE.
His selection may come down to how much backup seam value the selectors feel he offers, plus a desire not to dispense too rapidly with a young man who scored fine centuries in his first two tests this year.
Offspinner Mark Craig has won the sole spinners' spot ahead of legspinner Ish Sodhi. Then again, after taking 10 wickets in a man-of-the-match-winning effort in Sharjah a couple of weeks ago, that should not be a surprise.
Sodhi will be back but Craig offers greater control, not to mention 25 wickets in his first six tests after winning a surprise initial callup to the West Indies this year.
"Ish bowls some magic balls," Edgar said. "It's more the consistency we're looking at. We were never going to take two spinners into a test here and we have [part-time offspinner] Kane [Williamson] as well."
New Zealand first test squad to play Sri Lanka in Christchurch, starting on Boxing Day: Brendon McCullum (c), Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Jimmy Neesham, Dean Brownlie, BJ Watling, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult.
- David Leggat of the New Zealand Herald