Two changes for All Blacks

All Blacks bidding for eighth straight win over Wallabies

Last updated: 27th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Two changes for All Blacks

Cowan: in for Weepu

Australia v New Zealand
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New Zealand have made two changes ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Melbourne, with Jimmy Cowan and Joe Rokocoko both promoted to the starting line-up.

Cowan will wear the number nine jersey in place of Piri Weepu, while Rokocoko comes straight back into the side at the expense of Rene Ranger after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Weepu, who replaced Cowan for the All Blacks' 31-17 win over the Springboks earlier this month, celebrated the birth of his first child earlier this week and was named on the bench.

"I think if he had been here right through the week he could have started ... but you know we've trained for three days, set a foundation and Jim's been involved in that so that's one factor," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said. "That's no reflection obviously on how he played in the last game, he played superbly."

Rokocoko returns to win his 64th Test cap in place of Rene Ranger, who was dropped after a try-scoring performance against the Springboks.

"We think Joe's done his job for us and obviously he's under pressure. There's other guys playing well in that position," said Henry.

Magic

"Israel Dagg came on against the South Africans in that position and had some magic moments in the short time he was on the field.

"We've gone for the guy who's been there and done that and done it well in the past."

Flanker Victor Vito has been named on the bench as cover for the All Blacks loose forwards in the only other change to the side.

Australia have lost their past seven against the All Blacks but Henry insisted: "There's no guarantee that will continue. I don't know what Robbie's got up his sleeve," he added of his opposite number, fellow New Zealander Deans.

"Maybe tactically it's going to be a wee bit different than playing the Boks, but the nature of the game really is about ball retention and I can't see either side kicking it away too much."

New Zealand: Muliaina, Jane, Smith, Nonu, Rokocoko, Carter, Cowan, Read, McCaw (capt), Kaino, Donnelly, Thorn, Franks, Mealamu, Woodcock.
Replacements: Flynn, Franks, Whitelock, Vito, Weepu, Cruden, Dagg.