Cruden headlines changed All Blacks
Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:02
First-time starter Aaron Cruden. (c) Getty
All Blacks coach Graham Henry named a team that shows five changes for their final Tri-Nations Test, against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.
The game also doubles up as a Bledisloe Cup encounter, the third in the four-match series - with New Zealand having already won both trophies.
As reported Aaron Cruden will start at flyhalf in place of Daniel Carter, who is recovering from ankle surgery, and uncapped Canterbury No.10 Colin Slade will take Cruden's place on the bench.
Israel Dagg will start on the left wing, replacing Joe Rokocoko; Piri Weepu replaces Jimmy Cowan at scrumhalf, with Cowan moving to the bench; prop Owen Franks starts in place of brother Ben at tighthead and Victor Vito gets a start at blindside flank, with Jerome Kaino moving to the bench.
In other changes to the bench Rene Ranger comes in as outside back cover and lock Anthony Boric takes the place of Sam Whitelock.
Henry said the All Blacks were expecting a very strong challenge from the Wallabies, who would take confidence from their win over the Springboks in Bloemfontein last week.
"The Wallabies will be up for a big game coming off the back of a good away win and playing in front of their home crowd in Sydney, so they will come out firing," Henry said.
* Meanwhile, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will lead the side for the 52nd time in a Test - which moves him past Sean Fitzpatrick as the most capped Test skipper in All Blacks history.
Henry paid tribute to his captain on his durability and excellence as well as his attitude which has seen him grow and develop as the team's leader.
"Richie is an outstanding leader and, in my opinion, one of the best players in world rugby and he also is an exemplary ambassador off the field, so we are very fortunate to have him out in front of this team every week."
In other individual milestones, Keven Mealamu is set to play in his 80th Test on Saturday.
A win for the All Blacks would see them achieve a record 10 consecutive victories over Australia, and a 15th consecutive victory for the current team, while also becoming the first team to win all six matches in a Tri-Nations series.
If the All Blacks score more than 18 points they will eclipse their own Tri-Nations scoring record for a single season of 179 points, which was set by the 2006 All Blacks. That would add to the record of 20 tries already achieved this season.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Israel Dagg, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Rene Ranger.
Date: Saturday, September 11
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)