New Zealand rugby selectors have dropped two of the players who defeated Australia for a Tri-Nations fixture against South Africa on Saturday in Bloemfontein.
Right wing Cory Jane makes way for veteran Joe Rokocoko, who is fond of tormenting the Springboks with nine tries to his credit against the Rugby World Cup holders.
And Brendon Leonard comes in at scrum-half for Jimmy Cowan, who did not even make the replacements bench with Piri Weepu covering the No.9 position for the third clash of the arch rivals in the central city.
Hooker Andrew Hore retains his starting slot ahead of long-serving warrior Keven Mealamu despite some wayward line-out throwing in the opening match of the annual southern hemisphere championship.
Coach Graham Henry told a news conference Wednesday that Jane and Cowan played well in the 22-16 Auckland triumph over the Wallabies, but believed other squad members deserved an opportunity to impress.
“We were really happy with the effort and progress made against Australia and are looking for continued improvement in the first Test against South Africa,” said Henry.
“It will be a massive challenge against our old foes,” added the head coach ahead of a match at a venue where the All Blacks drew 11-11 in 1960 and won by six points 16 years later.
Assistant coach Wayne Smith expects New Zealand to rise above the standard displayed in a come-from-behind win over Australia, who were punished by the boot of fly-half Stephen Donald after building a 10-point advantage.
“We were a little rusty as a team and stuck to a basic game plan. A team must crawl before they walk and walk before they run. Australia was a step along a path,” he stressed.
ALL BLACKS: Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard; Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino; Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn; Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane
Jerry G
Guest
Bit early to be calling anyone a has been. He's a bit out of form, but he was still one of the leading try-scorers in the S14 for instance. I mean, Habana and Matfield, for instance, were both fairly shit most of last year and no-one was consigning them to the scrap heap.
van der Merwe
Guest
To prove that he isn't a has-been who only retains his spot by clinging to dad's heartstrings.
ohtani's jacket,
Guest
Last chance for what? I don't understand what people expect from Rokocoko.
van der Merwe
Guest
Surely this is Smokin' Joe's last chance?
Mungehead
Guest
Rokocoko and Jane are being chosen on a horses-for-courses basis. Jane was the man needed against the Wallabies high-ball threat, just as Rokocoko's experience is probably the best bet against the Boks. And Jane wasn't dropped altogether; he's on the bench. Leonard and Cowan are just being rotated. You can't make room for one player unless you drop another, and when he has multiple quality players Henry likes to rotate them. Halfback is pretty much the only position in which we have real depth right now. Expect Cowan to be back again soon.
JamesB
Guest
Beautiful move by Henry. Leonard has a faster pass and is a better runner. the Boks won't kick it as much as the Wallabies, hence smokin Joe's return and the hard grounds.
oldblack
Guest
you can hide up the mountain bokke, once you have reached the pinnacle there is only one way left to go. good to see the favourite tag is on the other foot,lets see how you handle it. you have all the advantage, home game, rested players ,first game.which will make the win all sweeter if the blackness unravel them. go the blackness