Guildford to make All Blacks debut

Hawke’s Bay winger Zac Guildford will make his Test debut as one of six changes in the New Zealand line-up to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Fly-half Dan Carter has proved his fitness to start and lock Jason Eaton makes his first start for the All Blacks since August 2006, replacing Tom Donnelly.

Guildford will wear the No.11 jersey vacated by Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is serving out a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle during the All Blacks’ 32-19 win over the Wallabies in Tokyo last weekend. The other backline change sees scrum-half Brendon Leonard replace Jimmy Cowan.

Wyatt Crockett also benefits from a ban, stepping in to the void left in the front-row by Tony Woodock’s one match ban for his part in a fight at the end of the Tokyo showdown.

In the back-row, Jerome Kaino replaces Adam Thomson on the blindside and Kieran Read reclaims the No.8 jersey from Rodney So’oialo, who is omitted from the 22.

On the bench, Otago fullback Ben Smith was named ahead of the injured Tamati Ellison for a potential Test debut, while prop Owen Franks is in for John Afoa.

The All Blacks coaching staff reserved special praise for Guildford, who has slotted in to the setup with ease. “He’s trained like a guy who’s been there forever,” assistant coach Steve Hansen said.(source)