All Blacks ring changes for Wallabies
All Blacks ring changes for Wallabies
By Ed Jackson, AAP September 9, 2010, 8:13 am
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The All Blacks have made five changes to their starting line-up for Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Sydney.
As expected young five-eighth Aaron Cruden will take the place of Dan Carter, who is recovering from ankle surgery, but coach Graham Henry has sprung a surprise by naming Israel Dagg on the wing in place of Joe Rokocoko and selecting Victor Vito ahead of Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker.
The other changes see Cruden's Hurricanes teammate Piri Weepu come in at halfback in place of Jimmy Cowan while prop Owen Franks replaces brother Ben.
Cowan and Kaino have both been named on the bench alongside uncapped five-eighth Colin Slade, outside back Rene Ranger and lock Anthony Boric.
Despite ringing the changes, Henry believes his team is up for a big challenge against a Wallabies outfit on a high after their dramatic 41-39 victory over South Africa in Bloemfontein last weekend.
"The Wallabies will be up for a big game coming off the back of a good away win and playing in front of their home crowd in Sydney, so they will come out firing," the New Zealand coach said.
The All Blacks, aiming for a 10th straight Test win over Australia, will not be lacking for motivation with two senior players achieving significant milestones in Saturday's match.
Hooker Keven Mealamu will be playing in his 80th Test for his country while captain Richie McCaw will lead the team for the 52nd time, overtaking Sean Fitzpatrick as the All Blacks' most capped Test skipper.
"Richie is an outstanding leader and, in my opinion, one of the best players in world rugby," Henry said.
"He also is an exemplary ambassador off the field, so we are very fortunate to have him out in front of this team every week."
A win for the All Blacks on Saturday will also see them become the first team to win all six matches in a Tri-Nations series.
All Blacks (from fullback): Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Victor Vito, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Res: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Colin Slade, Rene Ranger.
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