Henry shakes up All Black selection

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry has made five changes and two positional switches to his starting line-up for the dead rubber Tri-Nations match against Australia in Wellington.

Only one of the changes was injury-enforced, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu ruled out with a groin problem.

Joe Rokocoko switches to the left wing, with Cory Jane coming in on the right.

Elsewhere, back Stephen Donald, prop Owen Franks, blindside flanker Jerome Kaino and lock Isaac Ross have all paid the price for a disappointing performance at Waikato Stadium which saw the All Blacks relinquish their Tri-Nations crown.

Donald’s demotion comes as no surprise, given how unsuccessful the experiment of playing him in the midfield was.

Isaia Toeava will instead slot in at centre — as he did when he replaced Donald early in the second half last Saturday — with Ma’a Nonu shifting back to his more customary inside-centre role.

In the forwards, Ross is the biggest casualty, with Tom Donnelly set to make his debut in the second row alongside Thorn.

Franks is replaced by Neemia Tialata, who rejoined the All Blacks only this week after a spell with his province Wellington, while Adam Thomson takes over from Kaino.

Hosea Gear has been brought on to the bench, having last featured for the All Blacks against Munster in Limerick last year.

New Zealand have managed two victories against Robbie Deans’ men so far this season, to retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

The Australians have not won on New Zealand soil since 2001.

NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; C Jane, I Toeava, M Nonu, J Rokocoko; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, A Hore, N Tialata, B Thorn, T Donnelly, A Thomson, R McCaw (captain), K Read.

Reserves: A de Malmanche, J Afoa, J Eaton, R So’oialo, B Leonard, S Donald, H Gear.