RUGBY TRI-NATIONS:PROP OWEN Franks and scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan have been added to the New Zealand team to play South Africa in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash in Durban.
Franks (21), will make his first starting appearance for the All Blacks after being selected at tighthead prop for Neemia Tialata, who sprained his right knee against the Springboks last weekend and was ruled out of the Durban match.
Cowan replaces Brendon Leonard at number nine in the second of two changes to the run-on side that was beaten 28-19 in Bloemfontein. Leonard is dropped from the 22-man squad with Piri Weepu retained as back-up scrumhalf while prop John Afoa joins the reserves after Franks’ promotion to the starting side following three previous games off the bench.
Coach Graham Henry said Franks would add a mean edge to the All Black pack against a notoriously big set of Springbok forwards.
Outhalf Morne Stern replaces the injured Ruan Pienaar in the South African side. Pienaar twisted his ankle during their Springboks’28-19 win over New Zealand in Bloemfontein last weekend. South Africa’s only other changes are to their replacements, with fit-again lock Andries Bekker replacing number eight Ryan Kankowski and centre Adrian Jacobs taking Steyn’s place on the bench.
“As a precautionary measure the coach and the selectors have deemed it fit to give Ruan Pienaar a rest for the upcoming Test,” team manager Arthob Petersen told a news conference.
“He is a vital component within the strategic approach of the team and it is just a matter of time before he is back in the team.”
John Smit will become the most capped international captain when he runs out in Durban on Saturday to lead his team for the 60th time. Inside centre Juan De Villiers and wing Bryan Habana will both reach 50 Test caps.
NEW ZEALAND:Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Maa Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney Sooialo, Replacements:Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane.
SOUTH AFRICA:Francois Steyn; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.
