Henry shuffles his Black pack
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:53
Prop power: The All Blacks possess a fierce engine room
The All Blacks have made two changes to their starting line-up for their second Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Dunedin on Saturday.
The week-long suspension of lock Brad Thorn for an illegal tackle on Springbok skipper John Smit in the All Blacks' 19-8 first Test victory means Anthony Boric will partner Ali Williams in the second row.
Prop John Afoa returns from a knee injury to grab the tighthead spot ahead of veteran Crusaders front rower Greg Somerville in the team named on Tuesday.
"John showed some very good form before his injury and he's been waiting patiently for his knee to come right and to get back on the field," explained Kiwi coach Graham Henry.
Uncapped lock Kevin O'Neill comes onto the bench due to the promotion of Boric.
Fullback Mils Muliaina will be playing his 46th Test at fullback, surpassing the All Black record for the position set by former Hurricanes ace Christian Cullen.
Henry has kept faith with the bulk of the team which overpowered the Springboks in the first Test in Wellington, but warned the challenge would be even greater in Dunedin.
"We showed a lot of guts last week and we are very proud of that, but we want to improve technically," he said.
"We expect the Springboks will lift their performance and we'll need to be better if we are to win."
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rodney So'oialo (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Matt Goddard
Touch judges: James Leckie, Paul Marks
TMO: George Ayoub
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie
AFP
