Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009

LONDON (AP) New Zealand is experimenting and Australia is coming off another loss to the All Blacks, giving Wales and England hope of rare wins over their southern hemisphere rivals on Saturday.

The All Blacks start their European tour in Cardiff with coach Graham Henry looking to see which players in his 33-man squad can make the grade in time for the 2011 World Cup.

"We need to know if all these players are up to international standard," Henry said. "We are using this game to address one or two of those question marks. It's a big game.

"We've got a policy for the tour. To enjoy the game and play well is one, and also to make sure 33 players on this tour get an opportunity to play."

With this in mind, the former Wales coach has made six changes to the team that beat the Wallabies 32-19 in Tokyo last week. He may have to make a seventh if flyhalf Dan Carter fails to recover from a calf injury.

Henry drafted in Zac Guildford for his debut on the wing to replace the suspended Sitiveni Sivivatu, while Wyatt Crockett comes in for prop Tony Woodcock — who is also banned for elbowing Australia's George Smith.

And the All Blacks, who have not lost in 20 tests against Wales since 1953, made another three changes to the pack.

Lock Jason Eaton, No. 8 Kieran Read and flanker Jerome Kaino, who touched down in last year's 29-9 win over Wales, replace Tom Donnelly, Rodney So'oialo and Adam Thomson.

Brendan Leonard comes in for Jimmy Cowan at scrumhalf.

"It is good to be back here again," Henry said. "We've selected a strong side and we are looking forward to the fixture.

"There is no disrespect to Wales: it's a very strong side."

With just two years to go before New Zealand hosts the World Cup, Henry is under pressure to build a side capable of reclaiming the Tri Nations title and winning the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time since 1987.

But Wales is just the sort of team to take advantage of any weakness in a squad tired from a long season of Super 14 and Tri Nations rugby.

Wales led 9-6 at halftime last year before conceding 20 unanswered points in the second period.

"Holding them at halftime was a good achievement," said Gareth Cooper, who comes in at scrumhalf because Mike Phillips is injured and Dwayne Peel has not been released by his club. "But we realize on this occasion if we are going to get a result we have to play for 80 minutes.

"We have won two Grand Slams and beaten Australia a couple of times in recent years, so we know that we are good enough."

Australia won 28-14 at England last year but only eight of that side return for Saturday's match and it is hard to predict how the hosts will fare after losing almost a full team of possible starters to injury.

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