Henry makes eight changes

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry has made eight changes from the All Blacks side which beat Australia for the Tri-Nations game against South Africa in Wellington.

Former captain Reuben Thorne returns to the side at flanker, replacing Jerry Collins.

Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina and Dan Carter are the only backs to keep their place, while prop Neemia Tialata and hooker Anton Oliver are called up.

Doug Howlett, Sam Tuitupou and Scott Hamilton are also recalled to the starting line-up.

Henry said: “The changes help to keep all of our players physically and mentally sharp.

“We hope that can provide an edge for us against South Africa this weekend and for the Philips Tri-Nations series as a whole.”

Saturday’s clash with South Africa will be the 50th All Blacks test match played in Wellington.

South Africa fly-half Andre Pretorius will finally make a return to action when he takes his place on the bench for the Lions against Griqualand West in the Currie Cup on Friday.

Pretorius, who was surprisingly included in South Africa’s Tri-Nations squad without the selectors checking if he had recovered from an ankle injury, had to withdraw from the team the next day.

He is expected to come on during the second-half of Friday’s game, and if he comes through unscathed, he could then be called up to join the Bok side in Australia.

The Springboks have already called up veteran Butch James to the squad while 20-year-old fly-half Meyer Bosman has been tipped to start against New Zealand on Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald; D Howlett, M Muliaina, S Tuitupou, S Hamilton, D Carter, P Weepu; N Tialata, A Oliver, C Hayman, C Jack, A Williams, R Thorne, R McCaw (capt), R So’oialo.

Replacements: A Hore, G Somerville, G Rawlinson, C Masoe, J Cowan, L McAlister, I Toeava.