BLEDISLOE CUP:NEW ZEALAND suffered a blow on the eve of their Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Hong Kong today with confirmation that winger Sitiveni Sivivatu has been ruled out of their tour of Britain and Ireland with a knee injury.
Sivivatu, who has played 43 Tests, had only just returned to training after five months out following a shoulder operation.
“It’s hugely disappointing for Siti to suffer another injury straight after recovering from his shoulder surgery,” said New Zealand coach Graham Henry, who has no plans to call up a replacement.
Joe Rokocoko and Cory Jane start on the wings for today’s game, while Henry can also call on Hosea Gear and Isaia Toeava.
Australia are able to call on the services of prop Ben Alexander and winger Drew Mitchell after the duo recovered from injury.
Alexander is fit again after he sustained a knee injury in the win over Fiji in June, while Mitchell has overcome a hamstring strain in the only two changes to the Wallabies team from the side that lost by one point to New Zealand last month.
“It’s great to see Ben back after what’s been a pretty frustrating period for him,” said head coach Robbie Deans.
“Having been injured in our first outing of the year, he’s had to sit and watch since, but he’s worked hard and he’s ready to go.”
Mitchell joins Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor to complete the same backline from Australia’s two Tests in South Africa.
“We’ve re-established the back three that did so well for us in South Africa during the year,” Deans said.
“From the team’s perspective, the combination that has been so effective throughout the year has now been re-established.”
Australia are looking to end a record run of 10 consecutive losses to the All Blacks, who have won three of the four Bledisloe Cup matches this season in retaining the trophy they have held since 2003.
AUSTRALIA:K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, D Mitchell; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Robinson, S Moore, B Alexander, M Chisholm, N Sharpe, R Elsom (capt), D Pocock, B McCalman. Replacements: S Faingaa, J Slipper, D Mumm, R Brown, L Burgess, B Barnes, L Turner.
NEW ZEALAND:M Muliaina; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Rokocoko; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, O Franks, B Thorn, T Donnelly, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read. Replacements: H Elliot, J Afoa, S Whitelock, D Braid, A Mathewson, S Donald, I Toeava.
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland)
