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Ali Williams has been included in the All Blacks team to play South Africa in what will be a landmark test for the lock in Wellington on Saturday.
Williams is expected to start the match in what will be his 50th Test even though an ankle sprain has kept him from training in the first half of the week.
"Ali is an experienced player and the limited preparation shouldn't be an issue," noted coach Graham Henry.
"We just need to get his ankle right first."
New All Black captain, Rodney So'oialo, as expected will play at openside with Adam Thomson on the blind and Jerome Kaino at number eight.
Whether they maintain the left-right flank philosophy is still unclear but it wouldn't be a surprise if that strategy was utilised against the big Springbok forward pack.
In the other contentious area of selection, Conrad Smith will return as the starting centre despite Richard Kahui having a strong debut against England at AMI Stadium.
Prop Tony Woodcock relegates Neemia Tialata to the bench, while fullback Mils Muliaina's inclusion in the starting line up means Leon McDonald is also warming the sideline.
Henry said the Philips Tri Nations opener will be critical to the series: "South Africa has a very strong team right now and we have a huge challenge in front of us. We'll need a big step up from our performance in the Iveco Series to be competitive."
Tickets remain available for the match despite rumours of a sell-out. "We'd welcome a full house," said Henry "and the extra support against the Springboks."
The reserve halfback will be named after Tuesday afternoons NZRU misconduct hearing involving Jimmy Cowan.
All Blacks squad is:
Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Brad Thorn, Ali Willliams, Adam Thomson, Rodney So'oialo (c), Jerome Kaino, Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Rudi Wulf, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, To be named, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald
LATE MAIL..
All Black Jimmy Cowan has been fined $3,000 and ordered to stop drinking alcohol by the NZRU, but remains as reserve halfback for Saturday's Test against South Africa
Since April, Cowan has been charged three times for disorderly behaviour, the most recent incident occurring in Invercargill at the weekend.
At a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday afternoon the New Zealand Rugby Union demanded that Cowan stop drinking as a condition of his ongoing employment. He was also fined $3000 and ordered to seek alcohol counselling.
Cowan's compliance with all conditions of the agreement will be monitored by the NZRU with formal reviews scheduled periodically.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/417227/1883404
Williams is expected to start the match in what will be his 50th Test even though an ankle sprain has kept him from training in the first half of the week.
"Ali is an experienced player and the limited preparation shouldn't be an issue," noted coach Graham Henry.
"We just need to get his ankle right first."
New All Black captain, Rodney So'oialo, as expected will play at openside with Adam Thomson on the blind and Jerome Kaino at number eight.
Whether they maintain the left-right flank philosophy is still unclear but it wouldn't be a surprise if that strategy was utilised against the big Springbok forward pack.
In the other contentious area of selection, Conrad Smith will return as the starting centre despite Richard Kahui having a strong debut against England at AMI Stadium.
Prop Tony Woodcock relegates Neemia Tialata to the bench, while fullback Mils Muliaina's inclusion in the starting line up means Leon McDonald is also warming the sideline.
Henry said the Philips Tri Nations opener will be critical to the series: "South Africa has a very strong team right now and we have a huge challenge in front of us. We'll need a big step up from our performance in the Iveco Series to be competitive."
Tickets remain available for the match despite rumours of a sell-out. "We'd welcome a full house," said Henry "and the extra support against the Springboks."
The reserve halfback will be named after Tuesday afternoons NZRU misconduct hearing involving Jimmy Cowan.
All Blacks squad is:
Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Brad Thorn, Ali Willliams, Adam Thomson, Rodney So'oialo (c), Jerome Kaino, Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Rudi Wulf, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, To be named, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald
LATE MAIL..
All Black Jimmy Cowan has been fined $3,000 and ordered to stop drinking alcohol by the NZRU, but remains as reserve halfback for Saturday's Test against South Africa
Since April, Cowan has been charged three times for disorderly behaviour, the most recent incident occurring in Invercargill at the weekend.
At a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday afternoon the New Zealand Rugby Union demanded that Cowan stop drinking as a condition of his ongoing employment. He was also fined $3000 and ordered to seek alcohol counselling.
Cowan's compliance with all conditions of the agreement will be monitored by the NZRU with formal reviews scheduled periodically.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/417227/1883404
