KEY POINTS:
PARIS - There is no room in the midfield for either Conrad Smith nor Aaron Mauger in what All Blacks' coach Graham Henry has indicated is their best team for Sunday morning's (NZT) second rugby test against France.
(For team list see below)
Mils Muliaina will be
centre and Ma'a Nonu at second five-eighth in easily the most startling aspect of the selection who will run onto Stade de France in Paris.
The team features five changes, three in the backs and two in the forward pack, from the side who hammered France in the first test at Lyon last Sunday,
Chris Jack replaces James Ryan at lock, Keven Mealamu comes in for Anton Oliver at hooker, while Byron Kelleher takes over at halfback from Piri Weepu.
While the rest of the team is largely predictable, it is the other two changes, where Smith and Luke McAlister make way for Muliaina and Nonu, that have raised eyebrows.
Nonu, in particular, is a shock selection at second five-eighth ahead of 38-test veteran Mauger.
It will be the 24-year-old Nonu's first test start in the No 12 jersey, having made all his previous starts at centre, although he has come off the bench to second five-eighth previously and played there against the Barbarians at Twickenham late in 2004.
Mauger had suffered a knee strain in the England test but the All Blacks management said injury was not a factor in the selection.
Renowned for his powerful line-busting runs, Nonu played much of Wellington's recent domestic campaign on the wing and was at centre in the first test of this tour against England.
Muliaina returns to the vexed centre position, having been first choice there through this year's Tri Nations.
Smith returned to the test scene in style at Lyon and many believe he had done enough to win the No 13 berth.
Muliaina had been expected to start at fullback but role is now Leon MacDonald's, who is part of the back three who started in Lyon.
That means sharp winger Rico Gear misses out to Fijian-born cousins Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The selection of Kelleher was expected, although Weepu's demotion has gone another step, with Andrew Ellis surprisingly named ahead of him on the reserve bench.
Also on the bench is first five-eighth Nick Evans, the only member of the 32-strong touring party not to have played in the first two tests of the tour due to a hamstring injury.
The main talking point in the forward pack is the omission of Keith Robinson, with Ali Wiliams and Chris Jack the preferred starting locks.
Robinson made a stunning return from a long injury lay-off for Waikato two months ago and continued his impressive form against England.
However, Henry has plumped for the experienced Jack and Williams, who was outstanding at Lyon.
The outstanding loose forward group from Lyon of Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw and Jerry Collins will combine for their 13th test start as a trio.
Props Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock, who tortured the French scrum on Sunday NZT), are reunited with Mealamu for their 12th start as a front row.
Whether this team is regarded as the best 15 or simply the most appropriate to face France remains to be seen.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen clouded the issue with his comments yesterday.
"We'll pick our team for this game based on what is right for this team and the opposition we're playing," he said.
"The top 22 may not be what everyone thinks is the top 22.
"There may be some bumps and bruises that we have to look after, it was a fairly high impact game for us, a lot of tackles... it'd be foolish not to use fresh guys if you've got fresh guys who can play at that quality."
It is the third start on tour for Rokocoko, first five-eighth Daniel Carter, McCaw, Hayman and Woodcock.
Team: Leon MacDonald, Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Luke McAlister, Nick Evans, Andrew Ellis, Chris Masoe, Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore.
- NZPA
