Loose forward Victor Vito is the only change to the All Blacks starting side named by coach Graham Henry yesterday for their test rugby union match against Wales in Dunedin this weekend.
The Wellington Hurricanes blindside flanker made his test debut off the bench in the All Blacks’ 66-28 demolition of Ireland in New Plymouth last Saturday.
Last week’s starting blindside flanker Jerome Kaino has dropped out of the match-day squad for Saturday’s test with Adam Thomson being named as the loose forwards’ specialist on the replacements’ bench.
Prop Tony Woodcock and center Richard Kahui have replaced Neemia Tialata and Zac Guildford respectively on the bench.
“We were happy with the win over Ireland, but also know that there are areas of our game we need to work on ahead of the Welsh test and that is our focus this week,” Henry said. “We are expecting real intensity and physicality this weekend, which has been the hallmark of All Blacks-Wales matches in recent years.”
Henry signaled last week he may make changes to the side to rest some players and to see if others could step up to international level, though instead decided to stick with the side that ran nine tries past a 14-man Ireland.
Fullback Israel Dagg, inside center Benson Stanley and loosehead prop Ben Franks were all rewarded for strong debuts against Ireland by retaining their starting positions.
Lock Sam Whitelock, who scored two tries on debut last week, and flyhalf Aaron Cruden have also been retained on the replacements’ bench.
The match is to be the last rugby test played at Carisbrook, with Dunedin’s three World Cup games next year to be held in a new stadium that is under construction and expected to be ready for the Sept. 9 to Oct. 23 tournament.
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