All Blacks: Carter stays put, Donald at second-five

Dan Carter during All Blacks training in Hamilton yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey

First five-eighths Stephen Donald and centre Ma'a Nonu will form a new midfield partnership in a revamped All Blacks backline for Saturday's crucial Tri-Nations rugby test against South Africa.

South Africa's loss to Australia last weekend in Brisbane has given New Zealand a chance of retaining the Tri-Nations title it has held for the last four years - if it wins with a four-try bonus points in its last two matches and keeps the Springboks without a competition point at Hamilton.

Donald, who played in the No 10 jersey in mid-season tests against France and the opening rounds of the Tri-Nations, was named today at second five-eighths and Nonu at centre in an injury-enforced backline reshuffle.

The loss of regular centre Conrad Smith to a hamstring injury and the continued absence of Luke McAlister has forced the All Blacks coaches to resort to an experimental midfield alignment.

Daniel Carter will start at first five-eighths in his second test of the season after a seven-month injury layoff, allowing the coaches to test a theory that Donald will become an effective No 12.

The move gives the All Blacks twin kicking options at first five-eighths and centre, which are seen as crucial against the Springboks' highly developed kicking game.

Carter lined up at inside centre at All Blacks training runs over the last few days, leading to speculation he would start in the No 12 jersey and Donald at first five-eighths. But coaches Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have opted for a more conservative approach, leaving Carter in his preferred place and forcing Donald's adaptation to a new role.

It is likely Carter and Donald may alternate at 10 and 12 throughout Saturday's match at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium, taking turns at first receiver to give the All Blacks left-foot and right-foot kicking options.

Carter is widely regarded as the world's best No 10 and it was his return to first five-eighths in the All Blacks' most recent Tri-Nations test, against Australia at Sydney three weeks ago, which helped lift New Zealand to a 19-18 win.

He has 893 points in tests, needing only seven on Saturday to become the seventh international player to surpass 900 test points.

Donald struggled in the first five-eighths role in his earlier appearances against France, against Australia in Auckland and the Springboks in two tests in South Africa. He lacks the kicking range of Carter and South Africa's Morne Steyn but, with Carter at first five-eighths, adds a satisfactory second kicking option.

Nonu has played most of his recent rugby at second-five but has been in strong form and might benefit from the width given him further out in the backline.

The All Blacks' starting 15 for Saturday's match is otherwise unchanged from the one which beat Australia in Sydney.

Cousins Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu retain their places on the wings, Jimmy Cowan will start again at halfback and Mils Muliaina remains at fullback after the coaches decided against moving him to the midfield.

No 8 Kieran Read has overcome a knee injury to keep his place in an unchanged All Blacks' forward pack. Prop Tony Woodcock will play his 57th test, making him the third most-capped All Blacks prop after Greg Somerville (66 tests) and Craig Down (60).

The Springboks lead the series by nine points after twice beating the All Blacks and Wallabies, but New Zealand can still win the tournament with two big victories.

The series ends with a match between the All Blacks and Wallabies in Wellington on Saturday week.

"Every test match between New Zealand and South Africa is a massive occasion but this weekend it's a 'winner takes all' test which we are excited about," All Blacks coach Henry said.

The Springboks lineup will be announced tomorrow, a day ahead of the team's departure from Australia's Gold Coast for Hamilton.

All Blacks
Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Ma'a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Adam Thomson, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Isaia Toeava, Cory Jane.

- AP