18 Aug 2010

Two changes to All Black team

6:46 pm on 18 August 2010

There are 2 changes to the All Black team to meet the Springboks in Johannesburg this weekend with Jimmy Cowan returning from injury to start at half back and Ben Franks starting ahead of his brother Owen at prop.

The unbeaten All Blacks just need a point from the match to secure the Tri-Nations title.

It will be Ben Franks third start for the All Blacks, while in other changes prop John Afoa comes onto the reserves bench, with fullback Israel Dagg providing outside back cover.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry says they're expecting to face a "very different" Springboks side from the one that lost two matches in New Zealand, they'll be hugely motivated to turn around those results and they're expecting a hugely physical encounter.

In milestones for the match, hooker Keven Mealamu will join former All Blacks lock Ian Jones as the joint fifth-most capped All Black with 79 caps, Daniel Carter may become the highest All Blacks points scorer against South Africa (he is currently sitting on 207 points, two behind former All Blacks first five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens), and Josevata Rokocoko (on nine tries) is one try from equalling former All Blacks fullback Christian Cullen's record (10) of most tries scored against South Africa.

The team with their caps is....

1. Tony Woodcock (67)

2. Keven Mealamu (78)

3. Ben Franks (6)

4. Brad Thorn (44)

5. Tom Donnelly (11)

6. Jerome Kaino (31)

7. Richie McCaw - captain (87)

8. Kieran Read (23)

9. Jimmy Cowan (39)

10. Daniel Carter (73)

11. Josevata Rokocoko (65)

12. Ma'a Nonu (50)

13. Conrad Smith (39)

14. Cory Jane (19)

15. Mils Muliaina (87)

Reserves:

16. Corey Flynn (11)

17. John Afoa (23)

18. Samuel Whitelock (7)

19. Victor Vito (4)

20. Piri Weepu (42)

21. Aaron Cruden (5)

22. Israel Dagg (4)