Piri Weepu has been demoted to the reserves bench for New Zealand’s Tri-Nations clash against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Wellington halfback starred in a rare starting role in the team’s last match, a 31-17 win over South Africa in Wellington on July 17.
However, the selectors have opted to start with Jimmy Cowan in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test against their trans-Tasman rivals, after Weepu only joined the side in Melbourne on Tuesday after staying home to attend the birth of his first child.
Cowan’s selection is one of two changes made from the win over South Africa, with wing Joe Rokocoko returning from injury in place of Rene Ranger, who did not make the squad.
It will mark Rokocoko’s 64th Test, moving him ahead of John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu as the most capped All Blacks winger of all time.
Tony Woodcock will make his 66th appearance and will join former teammate Greg Somerville as the most capped prop in All Blacks history.
The only other change is on the bench, where Victor Vito takes over from Liam Messam to provide loose forwards cover.
The All Blacks boast a wealth of experience with 700 test caps in the starting 15.
“We will need all our experience up against what is a very good Wallabies side,” All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.
“We have had a good start to the Tri-Nations with the two wins over South Africa but there is no room for complacency — we are playing our oldest rivals for one of our most prized trophies, the Bledisloe Cup, and both sides will come out firing.”
All Blacks Team v Wallabies @ MCG: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg.
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