Nonu and Umaga aim to defy Henry

Ma'a Nonu and Tana Umaga have been given a chance to make All Blacks coach Graham Henry eat his words.

The duo have been paired in the Wellington midfield for tonight's match against Taranaki at New Plymouth.

Nonu will wear the No 13 jersey and Umaga No 12 in a combination that was last seen in last year's Super 12.

Henry said earlier in the season that the pair would never play a test match together in the midfield because they were incompatible.

But Wellington coach John Plumtree said it was an "exciting pairing".

"I guess it's a chance to show the All Blacks selectors that Ma'a can play with Tana," Plumtree said.

"They have a chance to prove them wrong."

Before the third test against the Lions, Henry said: "When Tana's playing at 12 we need a distributor at centre, so we're looking at a Mils Muliaina or a Conrad Smith - someone who can get the back three into action."

Smith will be on the bench for Wellington despite a strong game against Auckland.

Tamati Ellison will make his second start of the season, but his first in the No 10 jersey, with Jimmy Gopperth moving to fullback for the injured Shannon Paku.

Roy Kinikinilau gets a final chance to impress Hurricanes selectors on the left wing. With Hosea Gear unavailable because of a back injury, Cory Jane comes on to the reserves bench.

Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley has stuck with the squad who were thumped 37-3 by North Harbour.

Crowley said he wanted his players to put their hands up for Super 14 selection. He expected lock Paul Tito, hooker Andrew Hore and loose forward Chris Masoe to return to the Hurricanes.

Crowley nominated wing Sailosi Tagicakibau, lock Jason Eaton and prop Tony Penn as players he felt were good enough to make the squad.

- NZPA