Benchmen get rare start, Howlett shifts to 15

SUN CITY, South Africa - All Blacks Jimmy Cowan and Andrew Hore can at last tweeze the splinters from their backsides while Doug Howlett shifts to fullback to form one of the more exciting outside back combinations in test rugby.

Coach Graham Henry's musical chairs routine again offered several talking points when he confirmed 10 changes to his starting side for Sunday's (NZT) Tri-Nations test against the Springboks in Rustenberg.

The only survivors from the run-on team from the 45-26 win over the Springboks in Pretoria, their 15th in a row, are captain Richie McCaw and Ali Williams in the forwards, and Daniel Carter, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu in the backs.

Sivivatu will team up with his cousin Joe Rokocoko in a test for the first time, with Rokocoko making a rare shift to the right wing and Howlett taking the injured Leon MacDonald's fullback jersey.

Powerhouse prop Carl Hayman will return, subject to a medical clearance, after suffering concussion against the Wallabies a fortnight ago, while Aaron Mauger reclaims the No 12 jersey after two weeks off with a groin injury.

Halfback Cowan, 24, will finally start his first test after eight previous appearances off the bench.

He replaced Piri Weepu late in the Pretoria match but now gets a chance to prove he deserves to be the third halfback at next year's World Cup, with Canterbury's Andrew Ellis sure to be hot on his heels.

"It's a special moment for everyone to start their first test with the All Blacks. I've had eight caps now and haven't started one of them. I'm dying to do that," Cowan said.

Hore was the starting hooker for his first two tests against England and France on the 2002 tour, but his only run-on test since was against Argentina in 2004. He clocked up 14 caps mainly off the bench.

"It's been a long time," Hore said.

"Obviously we want to rip into it. You're only as good as your last game, and this is a farewell between now and the end of year tour so we want to finish on the good high note for this campaign."

Henry said Cowan and Hore had been "great team men" this season and earned their chance in the run-on side.

Howlett was an interesting choice at fullback, having had minimal opportunities there with a solitary test against England in 2003 and some matches at 15 for the Blues the same year.

"It's a little more position orientated than the wingers but it's something I enjoy and something I think I'm good at," said Howlett, adding he had worked hard on improving his kicking with All Blacks' kicking coach Mick Byrne.

Muliaina, one of the All Blacks' best in Pretoria, gets another chance at centre while the selectors have finally acknowledged young utility back Isaia Toeava needs more time at provincial level and omitted him from the 22.

Sivivatu should have benefited from the run last weekend in his first test since November after knee surgery, scoring his ninth try in his seventh test.

Rokocoko has returned to his best form in recent weeks and if the All Blacks get the counter-attacking space they did in Pretoria it could be a try-fest.

The only concern for the All Blacks was the health of lock Chris Jack, who missed training at their Sun City base today with a virus which confined him to bed.

Fellow lock Ali Williams surprisingly headed off Jason Eaton for back to back test starts, although Eaton could get his first test in South Africa return if Jack fails to recover.

Flanker Marty Holah, who was set to arrive from New Zealand today, was named on the bench while fellow tour replacement John Afoa missed a spot in the 22.

Springboks coach Jake White is scheduled to name his team tomorrow as they look to avert a five-match losing streak.

New Zealand: Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Anton Oliver, Neemia Tialata, Jason Eaton, Marty Holah, Byron Kelleher, Luke McAlister, Rico Gear.

- NZPA