Fumbling All Blacks get shot at redemption

The All Blacks have restricted fallout from last week's loss to Australia to just three changes for the return bout in Auckland, formulating their own version of a tandem attack at the breakdown.

Victor Vito will be in the six jersey on Saturday with Sam Whitelock restored at lock while in the backs Ma'a Nonu returns for the injured Sonny Bill Williams.

Teaming the athletic Vito with Richie McCaw should bolster the All Blacks' speed to the collision area where they were soundly beaten by Australia's terriers David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the Rugby Championship decider.

Whitelock returns as the senior lock to give more drive over the ball as the All Blacks fight to retain the Bledisloe Cup which Australia last held in 2002.

Apart from sharpening that area, coach Steve Hansen has backed the notion that the bulk of his side beaten 27-19 last weekend deserve a shot at redemption.

But he has made clear there needs to be a commanding performance in the All Blacks' last home game before the World Cup and to celebrate McCaw breaking the World record for the most Test matches in his 142nd international.
"This game is one of the best challenges we could have. We pride ourselves on our performance and last week's wasn't good enough, so we have been working hard at all areas of our game," Hansen said when naming the team on Thursday.

"We know we have to be smarter, more accurate and bring more intensity right across the park."

More will be expected of halves Aaron Smith and Dan Carter after the All Blacks' backline struggled to fire last week.

Part of the problem was predictable moves of heavyweight forwards stationed in the midfield and it remains to be seen if that plan will persevere.

The inclusion of Vito at the expense of hardman Jerome Kaino should give the All Blacks better presence at the breakdown.
It is a straight swap of Kaino's power for the mobility of Vito whose all-round skills stem from his days as a formidable sevens player where he was touted as the next Jonah Lomu.

Kaino is included on a rejigged reserves bench where Keven Mealamu and Wyatt Crockett replace Codie Taylor and Ben Franks, while Colin Slade comes in for Beauden Barrett.

For the All Blacks farewell performance before they head to England to defend their world crown "it's important that we deliver a performance that we can be proud of in front of our home fans," Hansen said.

New Zealand (15-1)

Ben Smith; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Victor Vito; Samuel Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa
Source: AFP