Sonny Bill back in black as All Blacks ring changes

Sonny Bill Williams has been given the chance to revive his Test career as the All Blacks named Wednesday an imposing midfield to take on Tonga in the opening Rugby World Cup clash. Williams inclusion in the starting line up at the expense of Conrad Smith is one of nine changes to the run-on side when the All Blacks lost their final pre-Cup match to Australia 20-25 last month. Israel Dagg has also been preferred at fullback ahead of Mils Muliaina, clearing the way for captain Richie McCaw to become the first All Black to reach 100 Tests. Both players have 98 Tests going into the tournament. The All Blacks play the physical Tongan side at Eden Park here on Friday with the powerful Williams at inside centre paired with the formidable Ma'a Nonu who moves out one place from his usual position to form a blockbusting partnership. Williams, who has yet to re-sign with the All Blacks for after the World Cup, had been on the fringes of the in the squad this year and could not even make the bench in the Australian Test. However, he would not talk about his inability to break into the All Blacks as a first choice player earlier in the season. "I'm really excited to get my shot. I'm concentrating on playing this week. Everything else is irrelevant to me," he said at the team announcement. Nonu, who has not played at outside centre this year, was looking forward to teaming up with Williams who is renowned for drawing in defenders before using his strength and long arms to produce freakish off-loads. "Hopefully he can do his magic and I can run off him," he said. Coach Graham Henry said Conrad Smith would start in the All Blacks next game and it was important to give the "backbone" of his starting XV regular game time together while "other players needed to have the opportunity to get game time as well." Prop Tony Woodcock has been included despite suffering a hamstring twinge earlier in the week while Adam Thomson and Kieran Read were not considered because of injury. Lock Sam Whitelock is in the reserves and will act as cover for the loose forwards. Flyhalf Dan Carter and Nonu are the only backs to survive the defeat in Brisbane by Australia with the changes including the notable inclusion of centre Richard Kahui on the wing In the forwards Ali Williams replaces Whitelock while he focuses on loose forward duties, and Andrew Hore will start at hooker with Corey Flynn in the reserves and Keven Mealamu left out of the squad. Team (15-1) Israel Dagg (Canterbury Crusaders); Richard Kahui (Waikato Chiefs), Maa's Nonu (Wellington Hurricanes), Sonny Bill Williams (Canterbury Crusaders), Isaia Toeava (Auckland Blues); Dan Carter (Canterbury Crusaders), Jimmy Cowan (Wellington Hurricanes); Victor Vito (Wellington Hurricanes), Richie McCaw (Canterbury Crusaders, Captain), Jerome Kaino (Blues); Ali Williams (Auckland Blues), Brad Thorn (Canterbury Crusaders); Owen Franks (Canterbury Crusaders), Andrew Hore (Wellington Hurricanes), Tony Woodcock (Auckland Blues). Replacements: Corey Flynn (Canterbury Crusaders), Ben Franks (Canterbury Crusaders), Anthony Boric (Auckland Blues), Samual Whitelock (Canterbury Crusaders), Piri Weepu (Wellington Hurricanes), Colin Slade (Canterbury Crusaders), Cory Jane (Wellington Hurricanes).