Conrad Smith: 'No one can separate me and my Ma'a'Not only has Rodney So'oialo been given the task of taking Richie McCaw's teamtalks, but the dread-locked blockbuster back-row has also been entrusted with filling McCaw's huge size 21 boots in the celebrated No. 7 jersey.
Jimmy 'fivebellie's Cowan has been told 'one more drop of cold stuff and you'll be confined to drowning your sorrows with a bottle of moonshine,' but keeps his place on the bench.
Auckland's Jerome Kaino returns in place of McCaw while Adam Thomson keeps his place on the blindside in a new look rear-end to the All-Black pack.
Neemia Tialata is unlucky to lose his place to Tony 'chainsaw' Woodcock, but the selection shocker comes at centre where Richard Kahui has been given the Graham Henry judo chop.
Kahui was outstanding against England, but while it's no surprise that Conrad Smith has been drafted back in, pin-up boy, Kahui can't even make the bench.
Ali Williams has recovered from an ankle knock to take his place in the starting lineup alongside Brad Thorn as the All-Blacks duo go head-to-head with the best in the business, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rodney So'oialo (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.