Henry makes 11 changes for Springboks

PRETORIA - All Blacks coach Graham Henry has ushered in 11 pairs of fresh legs for Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby test against South Africa here but resisted the temptation to give his unbreakable captain Richie McCaw a rest.

McCaw is the only survivor in the forwards from the bruising 34-27 win over the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday which clinched the Tri-Nations title.

In the backs, first five-eighth Daniel Carter, second five-eighth Luke McAlister and centre Mils Muliaina are the only returnees, with Muliaina switching positions again and handing the No 15 jersey back to Leon MacDonald.

Midfield general Aaron Mauger will miss a second consecutive test after suffering a groin injury last week while strongman prop Carl Hayman is also missing from the 22 after being knocked out during Saturday's match.

Notable selections are dynamic left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu for his first test since last year's tour of Europe, having scored eight tries in his first six tests; Durban-born lock Greg Rawlinson, picked for his first against the country he grew up in and third test overall; Chris Masoe in the unfamiliar position of No 8; and 2003 World Cup captain Reuben Thorne reclaiming the blindside flanker's spot.

Henry's widespread changes are an acknowledgement of the physical toll of playing two intense tests in the space of a week after he reported a battered and bruised dressing room on Saturday night.

The Wallabies demonstrated that when they put in a poor performance and only just scraped a two-point win over South Africa in Sydney, a week after an epic Bledisloe Cup test which the All Blacks won 13-9 in Brisbane last month.

But McCaw remains to lead the team onto the imposing Loftus Versfeld for a fifth consecutive Tri-Nations test since being rested for the test against Argentina.

Henry described McCaw's condition as "fragile" on Sunday after he was targeted by the Wallabies including being dumped on his head by a spear tackle from Lote Tuqiri and reportedly suffering a broken nose after a swinging arm from Phil Waugh.

But McCaw has seemingly recovered well and the coach conceded it was a difficult to keep his inspirational leader in cotton wool.

"All teams will try to target him. How do you combat that? It's very difficult," Henry said at the weekend.

Henry's major changes aren't unprecedented after he replaced his entire starting lineup between the tests against Wales and Ireland on last year's Grand Slam tour.

But his new-look forward pack will represent a risk against the giant South African pack having their first Tri-Nations run on home soil this year after a marathon five weeks on the road.

The All Blacks haven't won in South Africa under Henry's coaching regime, with losses in Johannesburg in 2004 and Cape Town last year -- their last defeat before embarking on a 14-match winning streak.

The microscope will be on the front row of loosehead Neemia Tialata, hooker Anton Oliver and tighthead Greg Somerville after the scrum dominance this year through Hayman and Tony Woodcock.

And the lineouts, with Oliver throwing to Blues locks Rawlinson and Ali Williams, will also be under intense pressure from the Springboks' master lineout exponent Victor Matfield.

But Henry has insurance with his heavyweight quartet of Keven Mealamu, Woodcock, Chris Jack and Jerry Collins waiting on the bench.

All Blacks:

Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Greg Rawlinson, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver, Neemia Tialata.

Reserves:

Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Chris Jack, Jerry Collins, Jimmy Cowan, Sam Tuitupou, Isaia Toeava.

- NZPA