NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry has stuck with the bulk of the team that thrashed Australia 33-6 last month for Saturday’s final Bledisloe Cup match of the year in Tokyo.
As Henry promised, he has named a strong starting line-up that features just three changes to the side that overran the Wallabies in Wellington.
Rodney So’oialo returns to the number eight spot with Kieran Read dropping to the bench in the only change to the pack.
Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their positions on the left wing and centre, respectively. Smith comes in for the injured Isaia Toeava (pelvis), while Sivivatu replaces the axed Joe Rokocoko.
In the reserves, Corey Flynn returns as the back-up hooker and utility back Tamati Ellison will make his All Blacks debut if he gets a run at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
New Zealand have won all three Bledisloe Cup matches so far this year – and six on the trot since Robbie Deans memorably won his first trans-Tasman contest in charge of the Wallabies.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So’oialo. Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Tamati Ellison.
