All Blacks turn to So'oialo

Rodney So'oialo will Richie McCaw as All Blacks captain for the opening Tri-Nations clash against South Africa.

McCaw's injury sees flanker handed captain's armband

Rodney So'oialo will Richie McCaw as All Blacks captain for the opening Tri-Nations clash against South Africa. McCaw has been left sidelined for six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the second Test victory over England - forcing coach Graham Henry to shuffle his back-row options. That means So'oialo moves to the openside flank, Jerome Kaino will start at No.8 and Adam Thomson will play on the blindside. Ali Williams has been declared fit to start his 50th Test in the second row, while the centre partnership of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu is restored. Rudi Wulf will win his second cap after getting the nod over Anthony Tuitavake on the left wing, while in the front row prop Tony Woodcock returns from injury. On the bench, there is a place for Jimmy Cowan after he was fined, ordered to abstain from alcohol and required to undergo alcohol counselling following his recent arrest for disorderly behaviour. Henry said: "South Africa has a very strong team right now and we have a huge challenge in front of us. "We'll need a huge step up from our performance in the (England) series to be competitive." New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Andrew Hore, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Willliams, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Rodney So'oialo (c), 8 Jerome Kaino.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.