All Blacks coach John Mitchell opted against risking injured centre Tana Umaga for Saturday’s rugby World Cup quarterfinal against South Africa.
Mitchell retained Leon MacDonald at outside centre and left vice-captain Umaga out of the 22-man New Zealand squad he announced on Wednesday.
Umaga ruptured ligaments in his left knee in the opening 70-7 win over Italy, but had returned to training with the New Zealand squad and was expected to figure in calculations for the Melbourne quarterfinal.
The only change to the starting lineup that rallied for a 53-37 win over Wales last weekend was lock Chris Jack returning in the second row ahead of Brad Thorn, who was relegated to the bench. Jack had missed the previous match with an ankle problem.
No. 8 Jerry Collins was included in the starting XV despite concerns over rib damage he sustained against Wales.
On the replacements bench, Caleb Ralph was preferred to Ma’a Nonu and Australian-born Steve Devine was named as the backup scrumhalf ahead of Byron Kelleher.
New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Doug Howlett, 13-Leon MacDonald, 12-Aaron Mauger, 11-Joe Rokocoko, 10-Carlos Spencer, 9-Justin Marshall; 8-Jerry Collins, 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Reuben Thorne (captain), 5-Ali Williams, 4-Chris Jack, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Dave Hewett.
Replacements: 16-Mark Hammett, 17-Kees Meeuws, 18-Brad Thorn, 19-Marty Holah, 20-Steve Devine, 21-Daniel Carter, 22-Caleb Ralph. – Sapa-AP