All Black coach John Mitchell on Tuesday made five changes to the forward pack for this weekend’s Tri Nations match against South Africa in Dunedin despite last week’s record victory over Australia.
The front row has been completely changed with the experienced trio of props Kees Meeuws and Carl Hoeft and hooker Mark Hammet replacing Greg Sommerville, Dave Hewett and hooker Keven Mealamu.
Probably the biggest surprise is the selection of former rugby league player Brad Thorn as a starting lock in place of Chris Jack.
It had been assumed that Thorn’s locking partner Ali Williams might be the player to be dropped from the starting side.
Mitchell said it was time for Williams to step up and show some leadership and that he was a better player than the last few matches had indicated. Mitchell added that it was also time for Thorn to have a starting place.
”It will be another very good learning for Brad and it’s a great opportunity for the team because he does bring different kinds of strength.
He is a very strong, dynamic footballer,” Mitchell said.
Top flanker Richard McCaw has been rested to allow some bumps and bruises he has sustained to recover before next week’s Bledisloe Cup decider against
Australia, while understudy Marty Holah is being given a start after showing some fine form in recent match opportunities. Holah said he was ready to take his chance.
”I’ve just got to wait for my opportunity and to try and stay positive. I would love to get a starting position but I can’t control that too much and I don’t work myself up too much about it because if I did I might not get too much game time,” Holah said.
The backline is unchanged with the most significant features being on the reserve bench where fullback Leon MacDonald returns, after concerns over headache problems had caused him to withdraw from the side earlier in the season. Halfback Byron Kelleher also returns to the squad with Steve Devine being left off the bench.
New Zealand: (15-1): Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokococo, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger, Doug Howlett, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Reuben Thorne (captain), Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Kees Meeuws, Mark Hammet, Carl Hoeft.
Replacements: Leon MacDonald, Byron Kelleher, Daniel Carter, Keven Mealamu, Dave Hewett, Chris Jack, Rodney So’oialo. Sapa-AFP