Props Ben and Owen Franks will be the first brothers in 13 years to play in an All Blacks rugby team after being named for next week’s one-off Test against Ireland at New Plymouth.
Canterbury Crusaders prop Ben Franks was included among three new caps in the New Zealand starting lineup named yesterday, joining uncapped fullback Israel Dagg and rookie center Benson Stanley.
Ireland announced 10 changes to their starting lineup for the match, reshaping the team that lost 29-23 to the Barbarians in Limerick last weekend.
Owen and Ben Franks become the first pair of brothers to play a Test for New Zealand since Zinzan and Robin Brooke faced England in 1997. They follow in the footsteps of other famous New Zealand rugby brothers including Colin and Stan Meads and Don and Ian Clarke.
Dagg, who turned 22 on Sunday, was named at fullback after the selectors decided to move the more experienced Cory Jane to the wing where he is paired with the recalled Joe Rokocoko.
Stanley, the Australian-born nephew of former All Blacks center Joe Stanley, wins his first Test jumper as the only fit inside center in the New Zealand squad after injuries to midfielders Ma’a Nonu, Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava.
Ben Franks, 26, is named at loosehead prop in place of 61-Test veteran Tony Woodcock, who has been struggling for form. He and younger brother Owen, 22, will prop the New Zealand scrum on either side of hooker Keven Mealamu, who returns to the starting XV in the absence of Andrew Hore who has a shoulder injury.
A further three uncapped players have been named on the All Blacks reserve bench. Backrower Victor Vito, lock Sam Whitelock and flyhalf Aaron Cruden are all in line to make their test debuts as substitutes.
Flanker Richie McCaw will captain New Zealand in his 81st Test, equaling Justin Marshall as the third most-capped All Black.
Center Brian O’Driscoll returns to captain the Irish team among four backline changes. Winger Tommy Bowe, center Gordon D’Arcy and scrumhalf Tomas O’Leary also join a strengthened Ireland backline.
Props Cian Healy and John Hayes, locks Donncha Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll and backrowers Jamie Heaslip and David Wallace were named among six changes to the forward pack.
Two uncapped players — hooker John Fogarty and lock Dan Tuohy — were included on the bench.
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