All Blacks name team to play Wallabies

Conrad Smith. Picture / Fotopress

SYDNEY - The All Blacks team was named today to play Australia in Saturday's Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup test at Telstra Stadium.

Captain Tana Umaga was bracketed with Conrad Smith, while injured halfback Byron Kelleher misses out.

Smith ran in the centre position at training today. The skipper hoped to run at training tomorrow.

Joe Rokocoko returns to the starting lineup for the first time since their demolition of France last November.

Rokocoko put the disappointment of a poor Super 12 season with the Blues behind him by returning to the left wing, replacing Mils Muliaina who reverts to fullback, with Leon MacDonald dropping to the bench.

Muliaina started on the left wing in the 16-22 loss to South Africa in Cape Town last Saturday.

In the only other change to that starting lineup, Piri Weepu starts at halfback for the unavailable Kelleher.

Bay of Plenty halfback Kevin Senio will make his test debut should he get game time off the bench.

The pack is unchanged from the eight that started against the Springboks.

Team:

Backs - Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Conrad Smith/Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu.

Forwards - Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves - Leon MacDonald, Luke McAlister, Kevin Senio, Marty Holah, James Ryan, Greg Somerville, Derren Witcombe.

- NZPA