New Zealand v Australia: Teams
New Zealand have made seven changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash against Australia.
Last Updated: 06/08/11 10:49am
New Zealand have made seven changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.
Despite hammering South Africa 40-7 last week, Graham Henry and his coaches have given their side a new look for first Bledisloe Cup clash of 2011, with four forwards playing their first Tests of the year.
Owen Franks replaces brother Ben at tighthead prop; Keven Mealamu is back at hooker; Brad Thorn is at lock alongside Ali Williams; and Kieran Read is at number eight.
In the backs, Piri Weepu has been picked at scrum-half, making his first Test start since last year's 23-22 victory in Sydney.
Hosea Gear returns from his recent hamstring injury to start his first Test of the year on the left wing, while Sitiveni Sivivatu is on the right wing.
Injured prop John Afoa (cheekbone) was unavailable for selection while several other All Blacks who have had recent injuries are continuing their return to rugby.
Milestone
All Blacks midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will set a new milestone this weekend - they will play their 29th Test together, becoming the most experienced midfield partnership in the country's history.
Daniel Carter will play his 82nd Test and joins the 'top five' list of most capped All Blacks ever, behind Richie McCaw (96), Mils Muliaina (96), Sean Fitzpatrick (92) and Mealamu (83).
Meanwhile, Australia coach Robbie Deans has named an unchanged side to that which overcame the Springboks 39-20 in the opening match.
The only changes come on the bench, with Dan Vickerman, Luke Burgess and Lachie Turner all recalled.
Burgess has recovered from a fractured hand to provide cover for regular scrum-half Will Genia, while 56-Test veteran Vickerman replaces Nathan Sharpe.
The inclusion of Turner means Deans will revert to a four-three split among the replacements.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw(c) 6 Jerome Kaino , 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Lachie Turner.
