Richie McCaw has been ruled out of the All Blacks final World Cup pool match with Tonga on Saturday but Fiji born winger Waisake Naholo will take his place again on the left wing in a special test for Ma’a Nonu.
McCaw picked up a minor hip injury against Georgia last week and has been rested as a precaution.
The skipper could have played if desperately needed and is expected to return for the quarterfinal in Cardiff next week.
Sam Cane takes McCaw’s place at openside flanker for the second time this tournament and Kieran Read will captain the All Blacks.
Naholo took a blow to the same leg he fractured earlier in the year but has recovered sufficiently, proving his fitness at training to earn his third test cap.
In an intriguing move the Highlanders finisher has been handed Julian Savea’s No. 11 jersey, with Nehe Milner‑Skudder returning on the right wing after sitting out the Georgian test.
Nonu is back from a shoulder injury for his 100th test in what will be a special occasion for the world‑class second five‑eighth alongside veteran centre and good mate Conrad Smith.
Nonu debuted in 2003 and has since made 83 test starts, scored 29 tries and is the All Blacks most capped No 12.
He will become the sixth New Zealand centurion, pushing Sonny Bill Williams, who had the flu earlier this week, to the bench.
The All Blacks will take on Tonga at 7am Saturday.
ALL BLACKS:
Ben Smith, Nehe Milner‑Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Waisake Naholo, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr‑Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Source: stuff.co
