All Blacks: Toeava, Messam pay price for test defeat

All Blacks centre Conrad Smith has recovered from a hamstring injury and will start against France on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand responded to its 27-22 first-test loss to France by making four changes to its starting lineup for the second test at Wellington on Saturday.

Center Conrad Smith and flanker Jerome Kaino have both overcome injuries to win inclusion in the run-on team named Tuesday - Smith at the expense of Isaia Toeava and Kaino as part of a reshaped loose forward trio.

Openside flanker Tanerau Latimer will start a test match for the first time, replacing Adam Thomson, who suffered a broken hand in the first test at Dunedin and will be sidelined for six weeks.

Hooker Keven Mealamu replaces Andrew Hore, who incurred a rib injury in the Carisbrook match.

Smith, who missed the first test with a hamstring injury, resumes his midfield partnership with Wellington Hurricanes teammate Ma'a Nonu while Toeava drops to the reserves bench. Kaino will play on the blindside flanker while Kieran Read moves from blindside to No. 8 displacing Liam Messam, who has been dropped from the squad.

"The return of Jerome and Conrad from injury will be a boost for the guys," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.

"The team was disappointed with the way they played in last weekend's loss to France and are looking forward to making big improvements this week."

Smith's return will likely strengthen the All Blacks' backline after Toeava's poor handling impaired its effectiveness in Dunedin. Cory Jane, who made a strong impression on the left wing in the first test, retains his place in the starting lineup.

The New Zealand selectors have again chosen to start Jimmy Cowan at halfback, while Stephen Donald remains at first five-eighths.

Read's move to No. 8 is unexpected and continues the policy of the current selectors of using players out of position. Read's brittle defence played a large part in the first of three tries scored by France in Dunedin: he was the first of four All Blacks fended off by French first five-eighths Francois Trinh-Duc.

Two uncapped players, Waikato Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche and Canterbury Crusaders flanker George Whitelock, join a severely depleted New Zealand reserves bench. Whitelock joins lock Bryn Evans in being promoted into the All Blacks after a single Super 14 season.

The French, whose win in the first test was their first in New Zealand for 15 years, have now expressed confidence of sweeping the two-test series.

"We've forgotten the first game really, really fast," assistant coach Emile Ntamack said. "For the All Blacks, it is like a tragedy when you've lost a game - for them and for the country. I'm sure the reaction next Saturday will be terrible."

France is expected to name its team on Wednesday or Thursday.

All Blacks
Mils Muliaina (captain), Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Bryn Evans, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava.

- NZPA, AP