15 Changes To All Blacks’ Side

Richie McCaw on the charge at the Westmanstown Sports Centre

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made 15 changes to the side that confidently dispatched Wales 41-3 for this Saturday’s clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

Henry’s stated rotation policy for the All Blacks’ “Grand Slam” tour comes into effect as captain Tana Umaga, amongst others, is afforded a rest for this weekend.

Auckland hooker Keven Mealamu, who, along with Umaga, was involved in the controversial “spear tackle” that ended Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll’s Lions tour in June, gains his first start of the tour, while Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw, the talented openside flanker who made his Test debut in Dublin in 2001, steps in for Umaga as captain.

Auckland prop John Afoa and Taranaki lock Jason Eaton, who is yet to play a Super 12 game, have both been called up by Henry for their Test debuts.

Eaton will earn his bow in black alongside Auckland’s awesome jumper Ali Williams, who has shaken off a minor shoulder strain.

In other notable changes, Otago’s Nick Evans steps into the fly-half boots of the mercurial Dan Carter, who scored 26 points against Wales last Saturday. Evans, 25, was only included in the 35-man touring party as a result of a knee injury to Luke McAlister and will be making his fifth appearance in black this weekend.

Waikato’s Fijian-born winger Sitiveni Sivivatu also comes in for his fifth cap, replacing his cousin on the left flank.

Carter was available for selection despite a minor ankle knock. The only player not available to Henry this week is Otago lock James Ryan, who picked up a knee ligament strain in Cardiff.

Henry said: “We expect this week’s team to be as strong as last week’s.

“Our goal is to have two or more players at every position who are proven at the international level. We are developing strength in numbers.”

NEW ZEALAND:

15 – Leon MacDonald (Crusaders – Canterbury), DOB: 21/12/77, Caps: 32
14 – Doug Howlett (Blues – Auckland), 21/09/78, 48
13 – Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes – Wellington), 21/05/82, 9
12 – Aaron Mauger (Crusaders – Canterbury), 29/11/1980, 30
11 – Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs – Waikato), 19/04/82, 4
10 – Nick Evans (Highlanders – Otago), 14/08/80, 4
9 – Piri Weepu (Hurricanes – Wellington), 07/09/83, 5
1 – Tony Woodcock (Blues – North Harbour), 27/01/81, 15
2 – Keven Mealamu (Blues – Auckland), 20/03/79, 30
3 – John Afoa (Blues – Auckland), 16/10/83, –
4 – Jason Eaton (Taranaki), 21/08/82, –
5 – Ali Williams (Blues – Auckland), 30/04/81, 28
6 – Sione Lauaki (Chiefs – Waikato), 22/06/81, 5
7 – Richie McCaw (Crusaders – Canterbury), 31/12/80, 34
8 – Mose Tuiali’i (Crusaders – Canterbury), 25/03/81, 5

Replacements:

16 – Andrew Hore (Hurricanes – Taranaki), 13/09/78, 7
17 – Saimone Taumoepeau (Blues – Auckland), 21/12/79, 1
18 – Carl Hayman (Highlanders – Otago), 14/11/79, 23
19 – Chris Jack (Crusaders – Canterbury), 05/09/78, 46
20 – Rodney So’oialo (Hurricanes – Wellington), 03/10/79, 18
21 – Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders – Southland), 06/03/82, 2
22 – Mils Muliaina (Blues – Auckland), 31/07/80, 34