Holah named in Junior All Black side for Australia A test

WAIKATO flanker Marty Holah will make his first start for the Junior All Blacks when they take on Australia A in the second and final international in Sydney tomorrow.

Holah rejoined the Junior All Blacks camp this week after a call-up to the All Blacks as injury cover last week ahead of the first Test against the Lions. He is one of eight changes in the side named by Junior All Black coaches Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

Holah is joined in the line-up by hooker Andrew Hore, lock Kevin O’Neill, loose forward Craig Newby and half-back Piri Weepu.

Auckland loose-head prop Saimone Taumoepeau, Waikato first-five Stephen Donald and Bay of Plenty tight-head prop Ben Castle are also set to line out.

Auckland’s Jerome Kaino, Steve Devine and Ben Atiga have been released to play for their province against the Lions next week and Otago prop Carl Hoeft is flying home for the birth of his child.

JUNIOR ALL BLACKS (v Australia A): S. Anesi; J. Rokocoko, C. Laulala, L. McAlister, C. Ralph; S. Donald, P. Weepu; S. Taumoepeau, A. Hore, B. Castle, B. Upton, K. O’Neill, C. Newby, M. Holah, S. Bates (capt).

Replacements: C. Flynn, C. Dermody, R. Kennedy, C. Masoe, K. Senio, D. Hill, N. Evans.