-
Stephen Donald loses the ball - Source: Reuters -
Related
Stephen Donald and Ma'a Nonu will form the midfield pairing for the All Blacks in their crucial Tri Nations Test against the Springboks in Hamilton on Saturday.
Injuries to Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Richard Kahui and Tamati Elision have left All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his selectors with little other option for the first Tri Nations Test to be held at Waikato Stadium.
Stephen Donald will start his first Test at second five-eight, after playing six at first five this year, but it is likely that he and Carter will interchange from first and second receiver much like how they did successfully in the last Tri Nations Test of 2008 against the Wallabies in Brisbane. They also provide the All Blacks with a right and left foot kicking option.
Nonu will start just his fourth Test at centre and his first since 2006, which was against England in Twickenham. His line breaking ability will be crucial as the All Blacks hunt four tries to stay in the Tri Nations title race.
All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko retains his place on the right wing, despite indifferent form this year, and keeps the consistent Cory Jane on the bench.
The All Blacks forward pack remains the same from the team that beat the Wallabies in Sydney two and a half weeks ago with Kieran Read recovered from a knee injury to retain his spot at number eight.
On the reserves bench, there are three changes, with Adam Thomson coming into the forwards and Isaia Toeava and Jane in the backs.
Australia's 21-6 win over the Springboks on Saturday has kept the All Blacks' chances alive in this year's Tri Nations and Henry says the team is energised by this weekend's challenge.
"Every Test match between New Zealand and South Africa is a massive occasion but this weekend it's a 'winner takes all' Test which we are excited about," he says.
Meanwhile, All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock, who is playing his 57th Test, will become the third most capped All Blacks prop of all time behind Greg Somerville (66) and Craig Dowd (60), while captain Richie McCaw will play his 75th Test, Rodney So'oialo his 60th if he comes off the bench, and Jimmy Cowan will be playing his 200th first-class match.
Daniel Carter is currently sitting on 893 points in all Tests (25 tries, 156 conversions, 150 penalties and two dropped goals) and when he reaches 900 points will become just the seventh international player to reach the milestone.
It's an historic Test match for Hamilton this weekend: The All Blacks are playing South Africa in the Waikato city for the first time and 31,500 fans will be in full voice with the match a sell-out. The All Blacks have played South Africa 77 times since 1921, with 42 wins to the All Blacks, 32 to South Africa and three draws.
The All Blacks will finish the 2009 Tri Nations the following weekend when they take on Australia at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
All Blacks: 15-Mils Muiliana, 14-Joe Rokocoko, 13-Ma'a Nonu, 12-Daniel Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Stephen Donald, 9-Jimmy Cowan, 8-Keiran Read, 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Issac Ross, 4-Brad Thorn , 3-Owen Franks, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16-Aled de Malmanche, 17-John Afoa, 18-Jason Eaton,
19-Rodney So'oialo, 20-Brendon Leonard, 21-Stephen Donald, 22-Cory
Jane.
