New Zealand coach Henry makes one change for first Test clash with England

13 April 2012

New Zealand head coach Graham Henry has made just one change to the All Blacks'
starting XV for Saturday's first Test against England.

Crusaders prop Greg Somerville, rested for last weekend's 21-11 win over Ireland, returns at tight-head in place of the injured John Afoa.

There is one alteration on the bench, with explosive loose-forward Sione Lauaki coming in for Adam Thomson.

Ma'a Nonu in action during a New Zealand training session ahead of their clash with England on Saturday

Ma'a Nonu in action during a New Zealand training session ahead of their clash with England on Saturday



Otherwise, Henry has stuck with a settled side as the All Blacks look to continue their rebuilding programme following the World Cup disappointment in October.

Henry said: "This is our best side right now and we should benefit from another week of training together.

"It'll take a bit of time to establish this team and we need to take another couple of steps forward this weekend.

"We'll have to be a bit sharper if we are to defeat England. They have some very experienced internationals plus some new players coming through who might not be well known in New Zealand but will be a real challenge on Saturday."

New Zealand lost a number of big-name players to the northern hemisphere after their World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in Cardiff.

But they are still able to call on established stars like captain Richie McCaw, who signed a new four year contract with New Zealand rugby yesterday, fly-half Dan Carter and blistering winger Sitiveni Sivivatu.


New Zealand team to play England in Auckland on Saturday, 8.35am

M Muliaina (Chiefs); A Tuitavake (Blues), C Smith (Hurricanes), M Nonu (Hurricanes), S Sivivatu (Chiefs); D Carter (Crusaders), A Ellis (Crusaders); N Tialata (Hurricanes), A Hore (Hurricanes), G Somerville (Crusaders), B Thorn (Crusaders), A Williams (Crusaders), R So'oialo (Hurricanes), R McCaw (Crusaders, captain), J Kaino (Blues).

Replacements: K Mealamu (Blues), J Schwalger (Hurricanes), A Boric (Blues), S
Lauaki (Chiefs), J Cowan (Highlanders), S Donald (Chiefs), L MacDonald
(Crusaders).

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