Coles back after long Test break

DANE Coles will play his first Test in nine months when he returns to the All Blacks’ starting lineup for tomorrow’s second Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Dunedin.

Coles, who will make his 50th Test appearance, has played only 90 minutes of Super Rugby since March when he was first sidelined with knee and calf injuries, before being diagnosed with concussion.

He was due to return for last weekend’s Rugby Championship series-opener against the Wallabies in Sydney but was rested after sustaining a minor head knock in training.

Coles replaces Codie Taylor in the only change to the starting lineup that flogged Australia 54-34 last weekend.

Prop Kane Hames replaces Wyatt Crockett and lock Scott Barrett takes over from Luke Romano on the bench.