29 Oct 2009

All Blacks field a strong team against Australia

9:55 am on 29 October 2009

The All Blacks will field their strongest lineup for Saturday's final Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium.

For the opening match of northern hemisphere tours by both teams, the All Blacks lineup features the returns from injury of winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and centre Conrad Smith, and Rodney So'oialo regains his place at number eight, replacing Kieran Read.

The All Blacks can't lose the Bledisloe Cup this year, but Graham Henry expects Saturday's test to have a real edge to it.

The full starting fifteen is Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.