Colin Slade will start his first test in the All Blacks team after he was named in the starting lineup to play the Flying Fijians in Dunedin.

First choice Daniel Carter will sit on the bench while All Blacks coaching staff will monitor Slade at first five.

Slade will be outside another Highlander Jimmy Cowan while Jared Hoeata will debut in the second row with 61 test All Blacks veteran Ali Williams, who’s back for the first time since November 2008.

Richie McCaw will captain the side with Liam Messam at number 8 and Adam Thomson on the other side of the scrum, Andrew Hore at hooker and Ben Franks at tight-head prop.

Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu are reunited in the midfield, the wings are Sitiveni Sivivatu and Zac Guildford and Mils Muiliana is at fullback.

Others to return are Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett who’s starting, and Highlanders wing Ben Smith, who’s on the bench.

Coach Graham Henry said Fiji was competitive in the recent Pacific Nations Cup so the All Blacks will have to be clinical.

The All Blacks and Flying Fijians match kicks off at 7.35pm this Friday.


Story by: Dhanjay Deo
Source: Radio NZ