18 Jun 2009

Four changes to All Blacks starting line-up

12:06 pm on 18 June 2009

There are four changes to All Blacks starting line-up for the second Test against France in Wellington on Saturday, in the wake of the first Test loss in Dunedin.

Jerome Kaino and Conrad Smith are back from injury with Kaino to play at blindside flanker and Kieran Read, who filled the role in Dunedin, moving to number eight.

Smith replaces Isaia Toeava at centre, with Toeava dropping to the reserves.

Tanerau Latimer will start at openside flanker in place of the injured Adam Thomson, with Latimer having made his test debut last week from the bench.

Kevan Mealamu will start at hooker, replacing Andrew Hore who has a rib injury.

The two players called into the squad this week, Waikato hooker Aled de Malmanche and Canterbury flanker George Whitelock, have been named in the reserves.

The full team is:

Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Josevata Rokocoko, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Bryn Evans, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava.