New Zealand has made three changes to its squad as the All Blacks look for a season sweep of Australia in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match at Tokyo's National Stadium.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry announced the changes Wednesday, saying the starting XV was a "pat on the back" to the team which beat Australia 33-16 in Wellington last month.
Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and center Conrad Smith both return from injuries to reclaim their places in the All Blacks' backline, while veteran No. 8 Rodney So'oialo has displaced young rival Kieran Read in the New Zealand pack.
"(Rodney) has been a player who has led from the front for the All Blacks for a long time," Henry said. "He brings a certain physicality and plays fully for 80 minutes."
Read will start from the reserves bench along with recalled hooker Corey Flynn and uncapped utility back Tamati Ellison.
New Zealand has beaten Australia in three Bledisloe Cup matches this season to retain the trans-Tasman trophy. Both teams are en route to Europe for autumn test matches.
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