In picking his first All Black Test team Graham Henry has wasted no time in restructuring New Zealand's pack which failed to deliver under his predecessor John Mitchell in the World Cup.
Two of the eight in the pack beaten by England in Wellington 12 months ago will start in Dunedin on Saturday as Henry seeks a more stable forward platform for his speedy backs, with Waikato's uncapped captain Jono Gibbes occupying the blindside-flank vacancy left by the deposed captain Reuben Thorne.
Gibbes (27) is hardly an overnight sensation but had a fine Super 12 season and can fill in at lock. He takes his place in a redesigned back row alongside Auckland's Xavier Rush, whose only previous cap was five years ago, and the new vice-captain Richie McCaw.
"It's quite a big pack, which is an advantage as long as they can put it together," said Henry, conceding that Gibbes, Rush and the tighthead Carl Hayman had muscled their way into the side with strong displays in last week's Probables v Possibles trial.
There is no place in the 22 for the rejuvenated Andrew Mehrtens, whose trial form raised doubts over Carlos Spencer's place at flyhalf. Spencer has survived and Mehrtens's Test future seems uncertain after the elevation to the bench of the utility back Nick Evans.
England's pack has also been rejigged, with Simon Shaw and Chris Jones chosen ahead of Steve Borthwick and Joe Worsley respectively. Bath's openside flanker Michael Lipman was not considered because of a strained adductor muscle.
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Howlett, Umaga (captain), Carter, Rokocoko; Spencer, Marshall; Meeuws, Mealamu, Hayman, Jack, Robinson, Gibbes, McCaw, Rush. Replacements: Hore, Woodcock , Collins, Holah, Kelleher, Evans, Tuitupou .
Guardian Service
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