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New Zealand rings changes for Portugal
From Luke Phillips in Marseille, France
September 12, 2007
NEW Zealand coach Graham Henry has made 11 changes to the side that hammered Italy for the Rugby World Cup Pool C qualifier against Portugal in Lyon on Saturday.
Flanker Jerry Collins, one of the four survivors from the 76-14 drubbing of the Azzurri, will captain the side.
The second-row pairing of Ali Williams and Chris Jack are also retained, as is Mils Muliaina, who moves from centre to full back.
"We wanted to give every member of the squad a run during these first two pool matches, and that's been the major consideration in naming this team," Henry said.
"We have also talked about raising our standards from week to week, and that's the challenge for this Saturday.
"We want to find the mental strength to play better for longer than we did against Italy."
Of the 30-man squad, only second row Keith Robinson and former captain Reuben Thorne were not considered for selection due to injury.
But Henry said they were both making good progress and should be available for selection when the All Blacks meet Scotland in Edinburgh on September 23.
Prop Carl Hayman said that New Zealand would not take it easy against the tournament newcomer that lost its first Rugby World Cup game 56-10 to Scotland.
"Everyone's grown-ups here to play rugby," he said.
"There's a lot of competition in our team for spots, so easing up is not going to be an issue."
Hayman said that "nobody wants to see anyone getting hurt" but it was in Portugal's interests to play New Zealand despite the chance of Los Lobos being humiliated.
"In terms of the bigger scale of rugby, for smaller teams to get bigger, they need to play bigger teams," he said.
Henry agreed with Hayman.
"Portugal will be looking forward to playing the All Blacks, and I hope they'll be a better team for playing us," he said.
"It's important to develop the game globally."
New Zealand: (2nd XV...)
1. Neemia Tialata,
2. Andrew Hore,
3. Greg Somerville,
4. Chris Jack,
5. Ali Williams,
6. Jerry Collins (c),
7. Chris Masoe,
8. Sione Lauaki,
9. Brendon Leonard,
10. Nick Evans,
11. Joe Rokocoko,
12. Aaron Mauger,
13. Conrad Smith,
14. Isaia Toeava,
15. Mils Muliaina,
16. Anton Oliver,
17. Tony Woodcock,
18. Carl Hayman,
19. Rodney So'oialo,
20. Keven Mealamu,
21. Andy Ellis,
22. Leon MacDonald.
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