Rugby: Rawlinson named in All Blacks team

Greg Rawlinson is selected to play against his fellow Soth Africans in the Tri Nations test on Saturday

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Greg Rawlinson jumps back aboard the All Blacks' locking merry-go-round against South Africa in his home town on Sunday.

The Durban-born and raised lock, who turned down overtures from the Springboks, will partner his Blues locking teammate, Troy Flavell, as one of nine changes made by coach Graham Henry for the All Blacks first big test of the year.

Rawlinson replaces Ross Filipo, who debuted in the 64-13 win over Canada on Saturday, while Flavell was given the all-clear despite suffering a dislocated finger.

There are six personnel changes and a positional switch in the run-on forward pack, with captain Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Rawlinson, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Tony Woodcock returning. Jerry Collins moves to blindside flanker while Saturday's captain Reuben Thorne misses out altogether.

In the backs, Isaia Toeava returns to another of the All Blacks' trouble spots, the No 13 jersey, in place of an experimental Luke McAlister, while wing Joe Rokocoko replaces Doug Howlett, who stayed home for the birth of his first child.

Rawlinson, 28, played the last of his three tests in the 45-26 win over South Africa in Pretoria last August and owes his promotion to a locking injury crisis that has sidelined five players.

Chris Jack added to that shortage when he also took parental leave for the birth of his daughter on Saturday. Assistant coach Steve Hansen said Jack was likely to be available for the Bledisloe Cup test on June 30.

The front row and loose forward recalls mean the All Blacks will field their strongest available pack against the Springboks, who boast the toughest lineout in world rugby.

It is the same loose forward and front row combinations the All Blacks fielded in their 61-10 win over France in the second test in Wellington on June 9.

The backline has a settled look but once again all eyes will be on Toeava as he tries to nail down the centre's spot for the World Cup.

He was the form centre of the Super 14 and had his moments in the two tests against France but handling errors and defence are areas he must improve.

The All Blacks flew to Durban yesterday from Johannesburg.

ALL BLACKS:

Backs
Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher,

Forwards
Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Ross Filipo, Chris Masoe, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Leon MacDonald.


- NZPA