NEW ZEALAND COACH Grahan Henry has named his starting fifteen to face Australia in the second of this weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Wellington.
Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui return from injury to take their places at full-back and No11, respectively, while last week’s makeshift half-back pairing of Piri Weepu and Aaron Cruden remains unchanged.
Richie McCaw, who was thought to be a serious doubt for the encounter, is named at openside.
The full selection reads as follows:
15. Israel Dagg, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Richard Kahui, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Piri Weepu; 1 Tony Woodcock, 2. Kevin Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Sam Whitelock, 5. Brad Thorn, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Kieran Read.
Substitutes: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Sonny Bill Williams.