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Stephen Donald and Ma’a Nonu will form a new All Blacks midfield combination for their crucial Tri-Nations clash against South Africa in Hamilton on Saturday.
There had been speculation that Dan Carter, widely hailed as the world’s best five-eighth, might take over the No.12 jersey for the Test following injuries to centres Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith.
But All Blacks coach Graham Henry decided against the move in the team named Tuesday, instead picking Donald, who played in Carter’s place during the star’s lengthy injury break this year.
Henry has the option of interchanging Carter and Donald in their positions and he gave little away Tuesday, keen to keep South Africa guessing.
“We’ll just have to see how the plot works out on the day. There’s no point giving you the plot now because it will be boring on Saturday,” Henry jokingly told journalists.
“Hopefully it will come together well.”
As expected, Nonu will play outside centre in the absence of Smith, who, along with McAlister was injured in the All Blacks’ 19-18 win over the Wallabies in Sydney last month.
“I don’t think in my wildest dreams I would have partnered Ma’a Nonu in the midfield for the All Blacks. But I am and I am rapt about it,” Donald said.
“We have played a lot of rugby with me at 10 and him at 12 so I know his voice and I know what he wants to do.”
Donald and Nonu are the only changes to the starting line-up from the Sydney Test as the All Blacks attempt to overhaul South Africa in the last two matches of their Tri-Nations campaign.
They will be aiming to score four tries for a bonus point win to boost their slim title chances.
The forwards are unchanged, with Kieran Read cleared to start at number eight despite struggling for fitness recently with a knee injury.
Flanker Adam Thomson returns to the reserves bench and Isaia Toeava has been named as a backline reserve.
ALL BLACKS: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Ma’a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Adam Thomson, Rodney So’oialo, Brendon Leonard, Isaia Toeava, Cory Jane.
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