Dagg and Kahui return, Cruden to start at 10

Story by: - Photo by: Evan Barnes / Shuttersport

AUCKLAND, 14 Oct. - New Zealand coach Graham Henry on Friday announced his team to play Australia in their semi-final match at Eden Park, Auckland, on Sunday, 16 October.

New Zealand:

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

Replacements:

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

Australia head coach Robbie Deans on Friday announced his team to play New Zealand in their semi-final match at Eden Park on Sunday, 16 October.

Australia:

1. Sekope Kepu 
2. Stephen Moore 
3. Ben Alexander 
4. Dan Vickerman
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Rocky Elsom
7. David Pocock
8. Radike Samo 
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Pat McCabe
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O'Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

Replacements:

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Rob Simmons
19. Ben McCalman
20. Luke Burgess
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Anthony Faingaa

Deans has given full back Kurtley Beale, who is recovering from a strain in his left hamstring, the maximum time to recover. If Beale is unable to play, Adam Ashley-Copper will move to full back, Anthony Faingaa Into the starting XV as centre and Rob Horne will move to the replacements bench.