Weepu back to face Boks
The experienced Piri Weepu has been named in the All Black starting line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks.
Weepu replaces Aaron Smith in one of four changes to the run-on side following his impressive cameo off the bench against Argentina last weekend.
The green halfback pairing of Smith and Aaron Cruden struggled in the win over the Pumas and All Black coach Steve Hansen hopes the experienced Weepu will bring composure to the back division.
In the pack, Liam Messam and Sam Whitelock rotate back into the run-on side in place of Victor Vito and Brodie Retallick, and hard-nosed Andrew Hore starts at hooker ahead of Keven Mealamu.
The final change to the matchday 22 sees utility back Tamati Ellison come onto the bench, having been preferred ahead of Ben Smith.
Hansen said the unbeaten All Blacks will continue striving for improvement when they host their great rivals in Dunedin.
"At the halfway stage of the new Rugby Championship we are very happy, from a results point of view," he said.
"There is a second challenge we have set ourselves – to constantly improve our game – and in that regard we are not the finished product."
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
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Vinny Munro at New Zealand)
