Williams returns to New Zealand camp
Lock Ali Williams has returned to the New Zealand camp and will face Tonga on Friday after recovering from a fractured foot suffered in the build-up to the World Cup.
The 22-year-old was only given clearance to travel on the day New Zealand flew into Australia and spent the first 10 days of the tournament working on his fitness.
But head coach John Mitchell had always planned to play the Aucklander at some point during the pool stages and he will pack down alongside the increasingly impressive Brad Thorn.
Chris Jack will start from the bench – the first time all tournament New Zealand have had the luxury of including a lock amongst the replacements.
The other major selection decision for Mitchell was how to fill the outside centre slot with Tana Umaga sidelined.
Ma’a Nonu replaced the All Blacks vice-captain when he was injured in the first game against Italy and retained the spot in the victory over Canada.
But with concerns over Nonu’s defensive qualities, Mitchell has opted to switch full-back Leon MacDonald into the number 13 shirt.
That subsequently led to a reshuffle in the back division with Mils Muliaina, scorer of four tries from the wing against Canada, returning to full-back and Doug Howlett returning to the starting XV.
Justin Marshall takes over from Steve Devine at scrum-half, but Mitchell opted against any specialist back-up on the bench.
In fact Nonu and the versatile Ben Atiga, called up over the weekend to replace the injured Ben Blair, are the only backs on the bench.
Four of Mitchell’s six changes come in the pack with hooker Corey Flynn to make his first All Blacks start, while Daniel Braid replaces Marty Holah at openside flanker and Greg Somerville comes back into the front row.
(v Tonga): M Muliaina; D Howlett, L MacDonald, D Carter, C Ralph; C Spencer, J Marshall; K Meeuws, C Flynn, G Somerville, B Thorn, A Williams, R Thorne (captain), D Braid, R So'oialo.
K Mealamu, D Hewett, C Jack, M Holah, R McCaw, M Nonu, B Atiga.
