All Blacks wary of taking Fiji lightly

The All Blacks embark on their World Cup build-up with a Test against Fiji on Friday, resting key players but desperately hoping that they do not fall into the same trap as Australia. The one new call-up is Otago Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata while teammate and fly-half Colin Slade gets his first start in only his second Test. But coach Graham Henry has enough depth in his squad to have 531 Test caps among the run-on side with another 216 to call on from the bench to ensure there are no embarrassing slip-ups. "This is an important test for us as we kick off this year's Test season," Henry said following the team announcement Wednesday. "You just need to look at how Fiji's Pacific neighbours Samoa played against Australia on the weekend to know that if we underestimate Fiji, we do so at our peril." Samoa at the weekend scored an upset 32-23 win in Sydney over an under-strength Wallabies, who rank third in the world behind the All Blacks and South Africa. Fiji, who left behind temperatures above 26 degrees Celsius (79F) and arrived in Dunedin late Wednesday with the temperature a chilly six degrees and plummeting towards zero, said they were inspired by the Samoans. "We believe that Fiji is capable of producing a similar result as the Samoans did against the Wallabies," team manager Talemo Waqa told reporters. The last time the All Blacks played Fiji, in Auckland in 2005, New Zealand won 91-0. Henry has taken the opportunity to rest several members of the Canterbury Crusaders who played in the Super 15 final less than two weeks ago and there is an experimental look about the forwards to face the physical Fijians. Wyatt Crockett, in the squad as injury cover for Tony Woodcock, returns to the All Blacks for the first time since 2009 to join Andrew Hore and Ben Franks in the front row. In the middle row, newcomer Hoeata will partner 61-Test veteran Ali Williams, who is making his comeback after being sidelined by injury for two years. Richie McCaw, who missed most of the Super 15 season because of a foot injury, will captain the team from the flank but his regular loose forward partners Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read have been replaced by Adam Thomson and Liam Messam. But in anticipation of what could be expected from the bruising Fijians, Henry has opted for five forwards on the bench and only two backs. The backs replacements include Dan Carter if there is any problem with the novice halves pairing of Jimmy Cowan and the rookie Slade. The midfield backs are the established pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith with Zac Guildford, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mils Muliaina filling the back three places. "We have got some real competition for places and it's exciting for those players picked and they will be keen to put their best foot forward," Henry said. In a largely predictable Fijian squad, Ravai Fatiaki has been tasked with marking Ma’a Nonu in the midfield while Rupeni Nasiga comes in at lock for Ifereimi Rawaqa, who was a late withdrawal because of illness. Teams (15-1) New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith. Fiji: Iliesa Keresoni, Timoci Naqusa, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Baikeinuku, Nemia Serelevu, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Rupeni Nasiga, Sekonaia Kalou, Deacon Manu (captain), Sunia Koto, Campese Ma’afu Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Setefano Somoca, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Ravulo, Vitori Buatava, Taniela Rawaqa, Vereniki Goneva.