'Mr Fixit' is back: Piri Weepu
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Scrum-half Piri Weepu will make his first start for New Zealand since the World Cup in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks in Dunedin.
Weepu returns to the number nine jersey on the back of an excellent performance off the bench against Argentina last week when he played an influential role in steadying the Kiwis' ship.
The 62-cap Test veteran takes the place of Aaron Smith - who has started the previous six All Blacks Tests this year - as the only change to the backline.
Head coach Steve Hansen has made three alterations to his pack, with Sam Whitelock replacing Brodie Retallick in the second-row and Liam Messam coming on to the blindside of the scrum for Victor Vito.
In the front-row, Highlanders hooker Andrew Hore gets the chance to start a Test at his franchise's home ground, ahead of Keven Mealamu.
Retallick, Vito and Mealamu all drop to the bench, but there is no place for Adam Thomson nor Ben Franks in the matchday 22.
The only other change to the bench is in the form of utility-back Tamati Ellison, who replaces Ben Smith.
"At the halfway stage of the... Rugby Championship we are very happy, from a results point of view," said Hansen, referring to New Zealand's perfect tournament record to date.
"There is a second challenge we have set ourselves, to constantly improve our game and in that regard we are not the finished product. However, the coaching staff and team leaders are reasonably happy with the progress we are making."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Date: Saturday, September 15
Kick-off: 19:35 (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Referee: George Clancy (IRE)
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
He may need a rest after the Haka
Posted 18:50 12th September 2012