New Zealand v Australia, Bledisloe Cup
All Blacks recall Cory Jane
October 17, 2013
Wellington's Cory Jane fends Auckland's Liaki Moli, Wellington v Auckland, ITM Cup, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, October 5, 2013
Cory Jane returned to action recently for Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup © Getty Images
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Wellington-based All Blacks Cory Jane and Jeremy Thrush will start the third Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.

Jane, as had been widely tipped, was recalled after recovering from a serious knee injury. The sabbatical taken by centre Conrad Smith allowed the selectors to move Ben Smith in from the wing with Jane returning outside the Highlanders star. Thrush, who has been a constant member of the All Blacks squad in the absence of the injured Luke Romano, will appear in his fourth Test with Brodie Retallick dropping back to the reserves.

Hooker Keven Mealamu will start the Test, his 109th, with Andrew Hore being rested, while Richie McCaw will play Australia for the 32nd time - a record for matches against a single opponent.

"It's great to have Cory Jane back," coach Steve Hansen said. "He has been a world-class performer and we are looking forward to seeing him back in the black jersey. It's also exciting to have Ben Smith getting his first start at centre for the season."

Hansen said the All Blacks faced one of the biggest challenges in sport against the Wallabies, "that is backing up a great performance with another great performance".

"This is a challenge this team needs and will help define the progress we are making," he said. "If we don't attempt to improve our performance from our last outing, we are vulnerable to being overtaken."

New Zealand respected Australia, he said, but the trans-Tasman rivalry was not driving the All Blacks on this occasion.

Hansen said the decision to make four changes to the side after the players had assembled in Dunedin only on Tuesday, limiting their training time despite bedding in new combinations, did not indicate a lack of respect for the Wallabies.

Liam Messam, meanwhile, said the All Blacks were "really motivated" despite the Test being a dead rubber.

"We want to back up another great performance like we did in South Africa," he said. "We know it's going to be a tough challenge, and I guess when you play against the Wallabies in an All Black jumper there's enough motivation there in itself. The boys are really motivated to back up a performance."

All Blacks: Israel Dagg; Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam; Samuel Whitelock, Jeremy Thrush; Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Tom Taylor.


Follow live text commentary of the Bledisloe Cup Test between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday, October 19 from 7pm (NZDT), 5pm (AEDT) and 6am (GMT)

Cory Jane talks about his Test recall
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