Follow Eurosport Australia on FacebookGet all the latest sports news directly on your wall 
How to get Eurosport
  • Foxtel
  • Transact
 
 
 
Rugby - Tri-Nations

Nonu replaces injured Smith for All Blacks

Centre Ma'a Nonu replaces the injured Conrad Smith in New Zealand's team to play Australia in the opening Rugby Championship Test in Sydney on Saturday, the New Zealand Rugby Union said on Thursday.

 
Nonu in for Smith - Rugby - Tri-NationsAFP
 

Nonu will partner Sonny Bill Williams in the centres, outside scrum-half Aaron Smith and fit-again fly-half Dan Carter.

Lock Luke Romano plays his second Test alongside Sam Whitelock with Kieran Read at number eight and captain Richie McCaw and Liam Messam the two flankers.

"Saturday's Bledisloe Cup contest brings two challenges," New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said.

"The first is our opponents who we clearly respect. But just as important is the second challenge, which is about us being better than we were before.

"The expectation this All Blacks team has is that it will strive to achieve these goals, both individually and collectively as a team."

New Zealand team: 15-Isreal Dagg, 14-Cory Jane, 13-Ma'a Nonu, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 11-Hosea Gear, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Aaron Smith; 8-Kieran Read, 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Liam Messam, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Luke Romano, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16-Andrew Hore, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Brodie Retallick, 19-Victor Vito, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Aaron Cruden, 22-Ben Smith

     
     
     
    Do not miss
    • TV guide

      Find detailed TV schedules – click here.

    • Mobile Applications

      Find all the sports news on iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and iPad.

    • Eurosport eCalendar

      Download the latest Eurosport Australia TV schedules for your favourite sports FREE to your calendar. It's a simple three step process!

    Follow Eurosport.com
     
    On Facebook
     
    On Twitter
     
    On Mobile
    EurosportCopyright 2013
    Eurosport.com is available in other languages