Rugby: Three changes apiece for All Blacks and Boks

7:00 PM

The All Blacks' selectors have made three changes to the starting line-up for the Tri-Nations rugby test against South Africa at Jade Stadium, Christchurch, on Saturday.

Josh Kronfeld earns a start ahead of Scott Robertson at openside flanker, Mark Robinson replaces Alama Ieremia at centre and lock Troy Flavell will take over from Norm Maxwell.

South African coach Nick Mallett also made three changes to the team that was beaten 23-44 by Australia on July 8.

Braam van Straaten will start at first-five in place of Louis Keon, while De Wet Barry replaces Japie Mulder at second five. Corne Krige gets a start at blindeside, with Andre Venter moving to lock in place of Krynauw Otto.

In a positional change, Breyton Paulse switches to the left wing with Tinus Delport moving to the right to cover Jonah Lomu.

All Blacks: Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Mark Robinson, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Josh Kronfeld, Troy Flavell, Todd Blackadder (captain), Taine Randell, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver and Carl Hoeft.

Reserves: Leon MacDonald, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Scott Robertson, Norm Maxwell, Craig Dowd and Mark Hammett.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Thinus Delport, Robbie Fleck, Breyton Paulse, De Wet Barry, Braam van Straaten, Werner Swanepoel, Andre Vos (captain), Rassie Erasmus, Albert van den Berg, Andre Venter, Corne Krige, Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson.

Reserves: Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Joost van der Westhuizen, Warren Brosnihan, Willie Meyer, Jannes Labuschagne, John Smit.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF and AGENCIES