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Richie McCaw and Graham Henry in press conference mode. Ross Land/AP/Press Association Images

McCaw and Dagg among starters to face Australia

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made a number of changes from the side that beat Argentina in last weekend’s quarter-final.

NEW ZEALAND COACH Grahan Henry has named his starting fifteen to face Australia in the second of this weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Wellington.

Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui return from injury to take their places at full-back and No11, respectively, while last week’s makeshift half-back pairing of Piri Weepu and Aaron Cruden remains unchanged.

Richie McCaw, who was thought to be a serious doubt for the encounter, is named at openside.

The full selection reads as follows:

15. Israel Dagg, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Richard Kahui, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Piri Weepu; 1 Tony Woodcock, 2. Kevin Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Sam Whitelock, 5. Brad Thorn, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Kieran Read.

Substitutes: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Sonny Bill Williams.

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