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The All Blacks are ready to fight fire with fire after selectors recalled destructive No.8 Rodney So’oialo for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup showdown with the Wallabies in Tokyo.
So’oialo, who replaces Kieran Read in the back row, will start just his fourth Test of the year as the All Blacks look to sweep the Wallabies 4-0 for the first time in a trans-Tasman series since 1962.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made no secret of Australia’s plans to play more combatively, starting powerhouse flanker David Pocock at the expense of the dynamic George Smith among four changes to his side which was thumped 33-6 last-up in Wellington six weeks ago.
Deans also recalled robust wingers Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes, saying he and fellow selectors Jim Williams and David Nucifora were “looking for the physicality that they bring”.
So’oialo, a 60-Test stalwart who captained New Zealand four times last year, has had his most inactive season in the black jersey since 2004, but All Blacks coach Graham Henry says his aggressiveness will help counter Australia’s intentions to be more “confrontational”.
“Rodney’s a player who’s led from the front for the All Blacks for a long time, so he brings a unique physicality at both the tackle and the breakdown,” Henry said.
“He plays fully for 80 minutes, so his work ethic is huge. And he hadn’t played much Test-match rugby in recent times, starting games, so I’m sure he’ll be on edge and be wanting to show the three (selectors) that he’s the man.”
Henry suspects Deans has wrung the changes purposely to energise the Wallabies.
“They’ve picked a very strong side,” he said. “I think when there’s changes made, it adds extra edge.
“Obviously you can’t do it every week, but it does bring something to the team.
“We made a number of changes to our team for Wellington and I think it brought extra edge and I’m sure Robbie’s hoping that will occur here also.
“It’s a very good backline.”
Henry admitted Deans’s demotion of Smith, Australia’s most-capped forward with 105 Tests under his belt, had caught the All Blacks off guard.
“Smith’s an outstanding international footballer so I guess that’s a wee bit of a surprise to us,” he said.
“But we’re not working with that team. We’ve got enough challenges of our own without picking the Aussie team as well.”
Troubled by neck and shoulder injuries which forced him out of the June Tests, So’oialo’s promotion after starting on the bench in Wellington last month is one of three changes to New Zealand’s run-on side.
The others were predictable returns from injury, with centre Conrad Smith (hamstring) replacing Isaia Toeava and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (groin) back for Joe Rokocoko.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Res: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Tamati Ellison.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.