Three newcomers have been named in the All Blacks starting line up for their one-off Test against Fiji at North Harbour Stadium here on Friday.
Hooker Derren Witcombe, lock James Ryan and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu will make their Test debuts in a side that has an experimental look about it before the All Blacks face the British and Irish Lions in three Tests starting on June 25.
Two other newcomers, utility back Sosene Anesi and prop Campbell Johnstone, are on the bench for the Fiji Test.
Sivivatu, who will be playing his first international against the country of his birth, has shown good form in the Super 12 series and the All Blacks trial.
”The expectation is that he will continue his good form at international level,” coach Graham Henry said when he named the side on Monday.
”James Ryan is fast-developing and we are keen to see how he goes in the Test arena.
”The hooker position is one where we want to have a ‘one-two punch’. Last year that was Anton [Oliver] and Keven [Mealamu]. Now Derren gets some time as part of the combination.”
Oliver continues to be in doubt for the Lions series as he recovers from a crippling calf injury.
Mils Muliaina, who was forced out of last Friday’s trial with a shoulder injury, has recovered sufficiently to reclaim the fullblacks slot, while Ma’a Nonu was not considered for selection because of a shoulder complaint.
Henry has named a mixed side, with such experienced players as captain Tana Umaga, back rower Rodney So’oialo, flanker Richie McCaw and prop Greg Somerville among the new faces.
Umaga will play centre with the Crusaders combination of Aaron Mauger and Daniel Carter inside him.
Byron Kelleher has been given the chance to have a first crack at halfback ahead of Justin Marshall.
Ryan will partner Ali Williams at lock with New Zealand’s number one man in the middle row, Chris Jack, on the bench. – Sapa-AFP