Carter gets all-clear

Henry makes six changes for Millennium clash

Last updated: 4th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Carter gets all-clear

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New Zealand superstar Dan Carter will line up to face Wales on Saturday after being cleared of a calf injury.

The fly-half, who has scored 92 points in five previous games against Wales, suffered a calf muscle haematoma during New Zealand's victory over Australia in Japan last weekend.

But after a light training week, Carter has been given the green light from New Zealand's coaching team to play at the Millennium Stadium.

All Blacks head coach Graham Henry has made six changes from the side which won in Tokyo.

Wing Zac Guildford makes his Test debut as replacement for the suspended Sitiveni Sivivatu, who collected a one week ban after a dangerous tackle on Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper.

And Wyatt Crockett takes over from another suspended player - loosehead prop Tony Woodcock, who misses the Wales game for striking Wallabies flanker George Smith.

Three other changes in the pack see starts for lock Jason Eaton, flanker Jerome Kaino - a try-scorer against Wales last year - and number eight Kieran Read.

And there is also a switch at scrum-half, where Brendan Leonard replaces Jimmy Cowan.

New Zealand have not lost to Wales since 1953, winning the last 20 Tests between the two countries.

New Zealand: M Muliaina; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, Z Guildford; D Carter, B Leonard; W Crockett, A Hore, N Tialata, B Thorn, J Eaton, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read.
Replacements: C Flynn, O Franks, T Donnelly, A Thomson, J Cowan, S Donald, B Smith.