Coles to start for All Blacks
Dane Coles has waited almost nine months for this.
Named to start against the Wallabies in Dunedin on Saturday night, Coles will make his first appearance for the All Blacks since wearing the No 2 jersey in the 24-19 win over France in Paris in late November.
Coles, who will earn his 50th test cap for his country at Forsyth Barr Stadium, will hope the return to the international circuit signals an end to the concussion issues that dogged him for much of the season.
Apart from relegating Codie Taylor to the bench, to make way for the fit-again Coles, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has stuck with the team that started the 54-34 win over the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney last weekend.
Second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams, who wobbled about on his feet after suffering a whack to the head in the first quarter in Sydney, has been passed fit, and fullback Damian McKenzie will get his first run for the All Blacks on home soil.
It will undoubtedly be a special moment for McKenzie, who will be earning just his fourth cap; born and bred in Southland he will perform in front of friends and family who have to travel only about an hour or so up SH1.
This is also McKenzie’s opportunity to build on what was a promising outing in Sydney. Although he counter-attacked sharply, and scored a try, a loose pass gave away a try to Kurtley Beale.
With Israel Dagg not selected and Ben Smith, who will be making his final outing of the year prior to going on sabbatical, listed on the right wing, McKenzie has a chance to make a statement.
Loosehead prop Kane Hames, called in as a replacement because Wyatt Crockett suffered a head knock at ANZ Stadium, and lock Scott Barrett are the only newcomers on the bench. Lock Luke Romano, who was in the
Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
reserves last week, has not been considered because of a minor foot niggle.
A win would guarantee that the All Blacks can lock away the big Bledisloe goblet for another season and Coles, who could have played last weekend but was rested as a precautionary measure due to headache symptoms, could add a lethal edge to the attack as play loosens up.
It is likely Hansen will carefully manage his minutes in what is expected to be a frantic encounter under the roof, possibly telling Taylor to be involved at around the 50th minute.
The victory in Sydney could have been much more impressive if the New Zealanders had not drifted off-task when they led 54-6 after 50 minutes. Improvements are expected.