Two new caps for Kiwis
New Zealand coach Graham Henry today named two new caps in the side to face Wales in Saturday’s Test at the Millennium Stadium.
Piru Weepu, who was considered one of New Zealand’s stand-out scrum-halves in the Super 12, comes into the side in place of the experienced Byron Kelleher.
Captain Tana Umaga has been rested, with Casey Lualala starting at inside centre alongside his Canterbury Crusaders team-mate Aaron Mauger.
In Umaga’s absence, open-side flanker Richie McCaw captains a side which features nine changes to the starting-lineup which accounted for Italy 59-10 in Rome last weekend.
New Zealand team to play Wales at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday is: M Muliaina (Auckland Blues); D Howlett (Auckland Blues), C Laulala (Canterbury Crusaders), A Mauger (Canterbury Crusaders), J Rokocoko (Auckland Blues); Daniel Carter (Canterbury Crusaders), P Weepu (Wellington Hurricanes); T Woodcock (Auckland Blues), K Mealamu (Auckland Blues), G Somerville (Canterbury Crusaders), C Jack (Canterbury Crusaders), A Williams (Auckland Blues), R So’oialo (Wellington Hurricanes), R McCaw (Canterbury Crusaders, captain), M Tuiali’I (Canterbury Crusaders)
Replacements: A Oliver (Otago Highlanders), C Hayman (Otago Highlanders), R Thorne (Canterbury Crusaders), M Holah (Waikato Chiefs), B Kelleher (Waikato Chiefs), Ma’a Nonu (Wellington Hurricanes), R Gear (Auckland Blues).
