All Blacks draft in Moody, Thrush to face Boks

02 October 2014 05:46

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made just two injury-enforced changes to his starting side for Saturday's Test against South Africa, opting for consistency in a match where the All Blacks expect to be pushed to the limit.

Hansen pitched prop Joe Moody into the Ellis Park cauldron for his maiden Test start after Wyatt Crockett failed to recover from a facial cut, with Jeremy Thrush replacing concussed Brodie Retallick at lock.

Elsewhere, Hansen kept faith with the side that defeated Argentina 34-13 last week to claim their third consecutive Rugby Championship title.

While Saturday's match could be seen as a dead rubber, Hansen said the recent history of close matches between the All Blacks and Springboks would ensure there was no complacency.

"This weekend is shaping up to be another classic All Blacks-Springboks Test match with the two top teams in the world going head to head again on the Boks' home patch," he said.

"Even though we have won the Rugby Championship, this is the game we always look forward to playing each year -- it's a massive challenge."

The Boks gave New Zealand a scare in a 14-10 defeat in Wellington last month and their most recent encounter at Ellis Park was a pulsating match that the All Blacks won 38-27.

The selection of Moody, who has played four times off the bench, was a surprise but will give Hansen a chance to gauge his progress, with 36-Test veteran Ben Franks in the reserves if needed.

Hansen said Thrush was called in because selectors did not want to take any chances with Retallick after he suffered a head knock against Argentina.

"There's no point risking him when there's a few more Tests to play this season," he said.

Hansen also paid tribute to skipper Richie McCaw, who will make a record 134th appearance for the All Blacks.

"He is a special player who has played each and every one of those games with a huge amount of commitment, passion and mental fortitude," the coach said.

New Zealand (15-1): Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Reid, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino; Sam Whitelock, Jeremy Thrush; Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Joe Moody.

Replacements: Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty.

Source: AFP