Muliaina to wing it as Henry plots Tri-Nations success

Mils Muliaina takes Sivivatu's spot on the left wing. Picrue / Brett Phibbs

DURBAN - Graham Henry has predictably whistled up his leading Lions tamers to break an offshore Tri-Nations rugby coaching duck against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday (Sunday morning NZ time).

Henry was unsuccessful against South Africa in Johannesburg and Australia in Sydney in his first Tri-Nations campaign last year when New Zealand finished last.

Now coming off a convincing 3-0 series win over the Lions, Henry has resorted to his preferred 15, with the possible exception of injured wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, who was ruled out due to shoulder and calf problems.

Henry has made five personnel changes to his starting 15 from the side who won the third test against the Lions 38-19 in Auckland on July 9.

Regular fullback Mils Muliaina takes Sivivatu's spot on the left wing, while Joe Rokocoko, who is steadily working his way out of a Super 12 form slump, is ready to pounce off the bench.

Although Muliaina has played the bulk of his 30 tests at fullback, wing is not unfamiliar to the Aucklander, who started on the right flank against England in Auckland last year when Nick Evans was tried at fullback.

He also started on the wing against Argentina last season.

Statistically at least, the absence of Sivivatu -- who scored six tries in his first four internationals -- should not affect the All Blacks' attacking prowess given the pedigree of his cover on the bench.

Jettisoned after a mediocre Super 12 with the Blues, Rokocoko was dispatched to the Junior All Blacks tour of Australia where he showed a semblance of the form which has netted 27 tries in 23 tests.

The remainder of the backline selections were straight forward, with Leon MacDonald returning at fullback after missing the third test against the Lions because of a groin strain.

Rico Gear completes a potent back three on the right wing.

The return of first five-eighth Dan Carter and second five-eighth Aaron Mauger was a formality after they missed the last test of the Lions series because of injury.

Star flanker Richie McCaw, another to miss that test because of a hamstring strain, will take his customary place on the open side after recovering from a virus.

His stand-in against the Lions in Auckland, Rodney So'oialo, reverts to his usual position at No 8 while tighthead prop Carl Hayman, who missed two of the Lions tests due to a toe injury, replaces the versatile Greg Somerville, who covers both propping positions from the bench.

Flanker Marty Holah has been preferred to Sione Lauaki, who played No 8 in the third Lions test, on the bench as Henry looks to outpace what can be a ponderous Springboks loose trio at the breakdown.

Henry expects a titanic struggle in the tackled ball area, a far more intense contest than the one offered by the Lions.

"The difficulty with the Springboks is they have some potent forwards, they're all ball runners in the loose trio," he said.

In other changes to the side who beat the Lions 38-19 at Eden Park, Luke McAlister drops to the bench to cover the five-eighths and halfback Piri Weepu is in line for his second cap as understudy to Byron Kelleher.

Incumbent centre Conrad Smith, who is recovering from a glandular virus, was unavailable for selection.

Meanwhile, reserve lock James Ryan admitted the side were wary of the battle-hardened Springboks catching the All Blacks cold after their three-week layoff.

"It's more a mental challenge rather than a physical challenge now," Ryan said.

"After three games in three weeks (against the Wallabies) they'll obviously have their systems in place.

"We just have to get our mind on the job and prepare like we did for the Lions series.

"I've had two club games (with University in Dunedin) so I'm feeling pretty all right. We had a good hit out in Auckland after the guys had a couple of weeks off."

MacDonald also appreciated the break after the Lions series.

"A lot of guys had niggles so it was a chance to get over injuries and freshen up. Everyone's feeling good and enthusiastic."

What they do not feel is complacent.

"Coming off 3-0 against the Lions it could be a problem but then you watch the South Africans beat the Australians reasonably convincingly... there's not room for complacency.

"We know it's a step up from the Lions series -- we'd be fooling ourselves if we thought the Lions were going to be tougher."

South African coach Jake White names his side tomorrow.

All Blacks: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Mils Muliaina, Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Piri Weepu, Marty Holah, James Ryan, Greg Somerville, Derren Witcombe.

- NZPA