Rugby:New Zealand head coach Graham Henry has made seven changes to the starting XV that hammered an injury-ravaged South Africa 40-7 last weekend for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with Australia at Eden Park (7.35am, Irish time). Four of the All Blacks team will make their first test appearances this year.
Owen Franks replaces brother Ben at tighthead prop, Keven Mealamu returns at hooker, Brad Thorn partners Ali Williams in the secondrow and Kieran Read starts at number eight. Piri Weepu is named at scrumhalf while Hosea Gear returns from his recent hamstring injury on the left wing with Sitiveni Sivivatu restored to the right.
Henry said the All Blacks would be expecting a completely different level of intensity on Saturday compared to that posed by the Springboks. “There is no doubt that the intensity levels will rise for this Test.
It is game one in a two-match Bledisloe Cup series involving the teams, ranked number one and two in the world. It’s a hugely important Test and is going to be a massive challenge, but we are looking forward to that."
All Blacks centres Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith will set a new milestone this weekend as they play their 29th Test together, becoming the most experienced centre partnership in All Blacks history, while Dan Carter will win his 82nd cap joining the top five all-time in New Zealand rugby.
Injured prop John Afoa (cheekbone) was unavailable for selection while several other All Blacks who have had recent injuries are continuing their return to rugby including prop Tony Woodcock, fullback Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava.
Australia named an unchanged side from that which beat the Springboks a fortnight ago. The only changes to the squad that accounted for South Africa 39-20 in Sydney are a returning triumvirate on the bench, secondrow Dan Vickerman, scrumhalf Luke Burgess and wing Lachie Turner.
The All Blacks have not lost a Test at Eden Park in 17 years, but Australia coach Robbie Deans said he did not feel overwhelmed by the record. “It’s about now rather than the history. The All Blacks do draw strength from their record at the ground, but playing at Eden Park is not something to be feared. It’s a challenge, and an opportunity to be embraced and enjoyed.
“A lot of visiting teams will be aspiring to achieve something special at Eden Park this year (it is the venue for the World Cup final). This weekend we’re the lucky ones - we get first crack.”
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale; 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane; 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia; 1 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Ben Alexander; 4 Rob Simmons, 5 Daniel Vickerman; 6 Rocky Elsom (capt), 7 David Pocock, 8 Ben McCalman. Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Fainga’a, 22 Lachie Turner.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina; 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu; 1 Wyatt Crocket, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks; 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Williams; 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 8 Kieran Read. Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore,17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
