All Blacks make two changes for Spingbok test

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made two changes to his starting line-up for the second match of the Tri-Nations against world champions South Africa on Saturday.

With lock Brad Thorn banned for one week following his tackle on Springboks captain John Smit during last Saturday’s 19-8 victory over South Africa in Wellington, Anthony Boric will make his first start in the second row with Kevin O’Neill coming on to the bench.

The only other change sees prop John Afoa, who has recovered from a knee injury suffered in the Test against Ireland, replace Greg Somerville at tight-head.

“Johnny was in particularly good form at the beginning of the campaign and we’d like to see him play a bit more and see how he’s going,” All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen said.

“As we all know Yoda (Somerville) has had a really big season with the Crusaders and he’s played the last two Tests which were very physical.

“He’s a bit sore so we taken the opportunity to bring Johnny back in and give Yoda the opportunity to bounce back from that.”

Hansen was also impressed by the improvement in Afoa’s scrummaging, which in past years had been an area of weakness.

“He’s at the beginning of what will be an outstanding career,” added Hansen. “He struggled initially as a scrummager and he would be the first to tell you that, but over the last 12 months he’s really developed.

“He’s taken it on himself to improve that area of his game and we’ve seen that. So we’re really looking forward to seeing how he goes on Saturday.”

Henry is expecting South Africa to come out firing in Dunedin after the world champions’ winning streak was brought to an abrupt end in Wellington.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers claimed South Africa lost that game rather than the All Blacks winning it, but whatever the spin, the All Blacks’ victory saw them replace their opponents at the top of the world rankings.

“This test will be much tougher than last week and last week was extremely tough. The South Africans are a very good side and they will play a lot better than they did last week,” Henry said.

“We think we’re in for one hell of a week as far as this Test is concerned. It will be more demanding than last week.”

Henry also said both teams would be better equipped to cope with the Experimental Law Variations which were used for the first time at international level last weekend.

“Sides are getting used to the new laws, especially at line-out time,” said Henry. “That was quite a major thing and took some adjustment and people will have their feet under the table a bit more this week and use those laws a bit better and think them through.”

New Zealand team to face South Africa in Dunedin on Saturday: Mils Muliaina; Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf; Dan Carter, Andy Ellis; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Rodney So’oialo (c), Jerome Kaino.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Kevin O’Neill, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.