All Blacks: No room for SBW in test side

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams has been left out of the All Blacks' squad to face the Wallabies in Hong Kong on Saturday night.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has stuck with the tried and true combination of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith at second five-eighth and centre for this weekend's Bledisloe Cup clash.

26-test veteran Isaia Toeava has been named on the bench meaning there is no room for league convert Williams.

First five-eighth Dan Carter returns to the starting lineup after missing the All Blacks' last match against Australia due to ankle surgery.

Halfback Jimmy Cowan returns to a starting position after coming off the bench in the September 11 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney.

Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane and Josevata Rokocoko make up the back three.

There is one change in the forwards with Jerome Kaino returning at blindside flanker.

Captain Richie McCaw and Muliaina will both play their 90th tests for the All Blacks.

Carter will play his 75th test match, becoming the seventh most capped All Blacks of all time, while the All Blacks most capped prop, Tony Woodcock, will play his 70th test.

Meanwhile, hooker Hikawera Elliot, whose sole All Blacks appearance to date was against Munster on the 2008 end of year tour, may make his All Blacks test debut from the bench.

Other reserves include loose forward Daniel Braid, who last played for the All Blacks in 2008; Alby Mathewson at reserve halfback; with Stephen Donald covering the inside backs and utility Toeava, who is back in the All Blacks after hip surgery, the outside backs cover.

Graham Henry said: "Australia will again present a massive challenge for the All Blacks and we have picked an All Blacks starting side that has done outstandingly well this year. This Test is a very important one for the team who are keen to get the Tour off to a good start, and, like all trans-Tasman matches, it will be another huge encounter."

All Blacks team to face Australia (test caps):

1. Tony Woodcock (69)
2. Keven Mealamu (80)
3. Owen Franks (17)
4. Brad Thorn (46)
5. Tom Donnelly (13)
6. Jerome Kaino (33)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (89)
8. Kieran Read (25)
9. Jimmy Cowan (41)
10. Daniel Carter (74)
11. Josevata Rokocoko (66)
12. Ma'a Nonu (52)
13. Conrad Smith (41)
14. Cory Jane (21)
15. Mils Muliaina (89)

Reserves:
16. Hikawera Elliot (uncapped)
17. John Afoa (25)
18. Samuel Whitelock (8)
19. Daniel Braid (4)
20. Alby Mathewson (1)
21. Stephen Donald (19)
22. Isaia Toeava (26)