Preview - Junior All Blacks v Japan
Nine changes to Kiwi outfit
The Junior All Black team, to play Japan in its final IRB Pacific Five Nations match in Dunedin on Saturday, shows nine changes, including one positional switch. The Kiwis are unbeaten and have already clinched the competition.
Props John Schwalger and John Afoa come into the front row with Anthony Boric starting at lock.
Jamie Nutbrown and Stephen Donald are the new inside back pairing alongside a new midfield combination of Cameron McIntyre and Niva Ta'auso. Anthony Tuitavake moves from centre to right wing and Ben Atiga returns to fullback.
Lock Tom Donnelly has been bracketed with Bernie Upton. Donnelly is suffering from an infection and his availability will be confirmed on Saturday.
Junior All Black coach Colin Cooper said, although the team had won the inaugural competition with a match to go, the team would not lose its focus against Japan.
"I am not sure how many people know this, but the former New Zealand Juniors side lost to Japan in 1968. Saturday's match is a true international and we will approach it as such," Cooper said.
The teams:
Junior All Blacks: 15 Ben Atiga, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Cameron McIntyre, 11 Caleb Ralph, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Steven Bates, 5 Bernie Upton/Tom Donnelly, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Corey Flynn (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Saimone Taumoepeau, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Johnny Leo'o, 20 Kevin Senio, 21 Tamati Ellison, 22 Sosene Anesi.
Japan: tba
Date: Saturday, June 24
Kick-off: 14:30 (04:30 GMT)
Venue: Carisbrooke, Dunedin
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)
