All Blacks selectors have predictably tweaked their playing personnel for New Zealand’s opening Tri-Nations rugby Test of the year, against South Africa on Saturday in Wellington.
Head coach Graham Henry and his assistants have made four changes to the starting 15 from the season-opening 60-14 win over Fiji in Dunedin.
Samuel Whitelock returns to lock the scrum alongside Ali Williams and in place of last week’s test debutant Jarrad Hoeata, who moves to the reserves bench, while Jerome Kaino is back in his regular starting position at blindside flanker, with Adam Thomson moving to No.8 and Liam Messam named on the bench.
In the backs, Daniel Carter returns to five-eighth ahead of Colin Slade, while Cory Jane has recovered from his finger injury and is on the right wing, with Zac Guildford moving to the left side.
The key change on the bench is the selection of midfield back Sonny Bill Williams, replacing Ben Smith, for his first Test appearance at home.
Henry said the Springboks would be hurting after last week’s loss to Australia and would come out firing.
“They are a proud rugby nation and won’t want a repeat performance so we will have to be ready for that challenge,” he said.
“But we have had a good build up this week and have picked a team we know that will be up for that challenge.”
Players returning from injury, not considered for selection, include Richard Kahui (hamstring), Tony Woodcock (foot), Isaia Toeava (hip), Hosea Gear (hamstring) and Israel Dagg (thigh muscle).
Toeava will be available for Auckland in the national provincial championship, while Woodcock will also return to rugby next week and is available for North Harbour.
The All Blacks and Springboks have played each other 81 times, with 45 wins to the All Blacks, 33 to South Africa and three draws.
They last met at the National Stadium in Johannesburg last year when the All Blacks won 29-22.
As well as Tri-Nations points, the Freedom Cup, the trophy contested by the two teams since 2004, will again be up for grabs.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Janes, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Jarrad Hoeata, Liam Messam, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.
Jerry
Guest
The first time round. Hosea toured with the AB's and played in the Hong Kong test v the Wallabies in 08. He was very ordinary at the time.
Taetjo
Guest
Mills didn't have a shocker in the Super 15. He was injured for most of it. He broke a thumb at the beginning of Super 15. He only came back in the Tri Nations. He played very well due to the fact that Israel Dagg was doing so well in his No. 15 jersey.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I'd be surprised to see Thomson scrummaging at 8 in every scrum. I think it's more a case of a number on your back, rather than how you play in this instance.
Funk
Guest
I thought it was Jenkins?
dwc
Guest
OJ dont you remember Hosea's try vs England in the corner last year at Twickers!
Dave
Guest
You're both kidding yourselves, Williams is the heart of the Welsh team and always has been.
all7days
Roar Guru
Can't go past that Whitelock in Canterbury. He's a solid player
Funk
Guest
I don't think he's as good as that Thomas bloke!
Winston
Guest
His replacement threw an intercept pass and missed a tackle that let to trys. Too bad they didn't start him
Bayboy
Guest
Ranger played quite well last night as did McPhee and Payne
Bayboy
Guest
Ranger and Payne played very well last night against the Naki making numerous busts and breaks up field unfortunately poor handling and passing let Nothland down from taking their first Premiership scalp for the season. Taranaki on the other hand had another slow start but once they got momentum going they were impressive, however again poor handling and silly passing let them down. Scott Waldrom was a standout and it just makes one wonder had he not been injured so often if he would have gone much further in the ABs
Winston
Guest
How good is that Jones player for wales
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Watched Ranger play last night I think and he didn't stand out kept getting caught, seems to have lost a half a yard in pace.
Winston
Guest
Yet he's arguably the best 13 in the world
Wawnout
Guest
Hasn't Messam had enough chances at this level? I agree Thomson has all but sewn up his spot as the loose forward cover so I would like to see Messam out and Todd in.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Apparently, Henry phoned him and told him he'd narrowly missed the cut. If he were in the mix, I imagine he would've been thrown a lifeline like Cory Jane and Sivivatu. He'll just have to try to impress the next All Black coach, I guess.
stillmatic1
Guest
very true oj, forgot about the return from injury, but as you would know, one doesnt get too long to show what one is capable of. unless of course you play for the wallabies!! but a fully fit ranger should get a run somewhere in the team if he truly is in the mix.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Well, he was returning from an injury that should've kept him out of that game, so I'm not sure that the semi was the clincher.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Bayboy - most (particularly Tahs fans after this season) would say being four players away from your best XV is close - Read is the major one to come back - but Adam Thomson is not far off his level - pretty handy back row rotation of McCaw/Kaino/Read/Thomson I think it is a mark of the ABs depth that you dont lose much when the four above are replaced. Swapping Mealamu for Hore, Thorn for Williams, etc will not materially change the outcome of the match. From an outsiders perspective the ABs have Richie and Dan with a strong team around them, so are for all intents and purposes at full strength.
stillmatic1
Guest
maybe the coaches were looking at him in the reds v blues semi, jiggles. everyone i was sitting with was screaming for ranger to be subbed on, but he sort of fizzled in that game and looked slow (especially when a major break was made on his wing for him to strut his stuff). agree he is dangerous though and you get the sense of how much so when he gets the ball. but maybe that game didnt fill the coaches with too much hope.