All Blacks add pace for Boks clash

Joe Rokocoko is expected to add pace to the All Blacks' backline. Photo / Getty Images

In the African language of Sesotho, Bloemfontein means "place of Cheetahs" and the All Blacks have responded in kind with the naming of their team to face South Africa.

There are two changes for Sunday morning's Tri-Nations test, with speedsters Joe Rokocoko and Brendon Leonard introduced to the backline.

Despite sound performances in the 22-16 defeat of Australia in Auckland, winger Cory Jane and halfback Jimmy Cowan make way respectively.

Jane drops to the reserve bench while Cowan misses the 22 completely because of Piri Weepu's "super-sub" status.

The All Blacks selectors have clearly taken a hard-surface mentality, suggesting a more expansive approach than the kick-fest that unfolded at Eden Park.

It is another chance for Rokocoko, whose form in both the Super 14 and the June tests against France and Italy could best be described as erratic.

His kicking and kick receipts are deemed inferior to Jane's, which is why he made way last week, but the 55-test Aucklander is a proven performer overseas and coach Graham Henry will be banking on a revved-up performance on the right wing.

His combination with fullback Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu is a proven one, with that trio used three times in Europe during last year's tour.

Their combined test caps of 162 is an All Blacks test record for a back three, moving ahead of the 156 shared by Muliaina, Rokocoko and Doug Howlett against Australia at Auckland two years ago.

Leonard will make just his second appearance since the World Cup, having played in last month's defeat of Italy in Christchurch.

Henry indicated last week that the lively Waikato No 9 may get a run on the harder surface, which best suits his sniping style.

The All Blacks backline and forward pack are both marginally less experienced than their Springboks counterparts.

The visitors' test experience measures a healthy 565 caps against the hosts' 617.

There are no changes to the pack, where flanker Richie McCaw (quad), lock Isaac Ross (knee) and hooker Keven Mealamu (calf) are untroubled by niggles that have affected them early this week.

Captain McCaw and No 8 Rodney So'oialo should be better for their hitouts against Australia after two-month injury-enforced breaks.

Mealamu, Weepu and loose forward Kieran Read find themselves benched again despite superb showings last week.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith said late impact was a crucial element but suggested it might not be long before the likes of Mealamu and Weepu get a starting crack.

"They may not be career bench players and I am sure the opportunity will come.

"You need 22 players and that is the fact of the matter. I don't think we would have won that game [against Australia] if we didn't have fresh players that were up to the speed of the game really quickly and came on and made a difference.

"You need those players like that with the ability to do that. They are like gold."

The nature of last week's win had given the team an extra spring, having fought back from 10-0 down. Smith hoped it would stand them in good stead if the Springboks get an early jump at Vodacom Park.

"It's something we have worked on. All of last year it was a real focus for us - mentally being able to come back from situations. It only takes 20 seconds to score a try," he said.

"It is certainly a source of pride that that spirit is there and that togetherness was there when the pressure went on."

* Less than half of the 48,000 seats for the match have been sold and ticket prices have been halved to 300 rand ($60).

- NZPA