All Blacks' So'oialo back for Bledisloe rugby clash

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has put veteran Rodney So'oialo back in the number-eight spot for a Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies here on Saturday.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has put veteran Rodney So'oialo, seen here in 2007, back in the number-eight spot for a Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies.

Henry announced a solid line-up Wednesday for the year's fourth and final trans-Tasman match with three changes to the starting 15 that beat the Wallabies 33-6 in their last encounter in Wellington last month.

The two other changes bring back players who were sidelined by injury for the last match, with Conrad Smith replacing Isaia Toeava at outside centre and Sitiveni Sivivatu coming in for his cousin Joe Rokocoko on the wing.

So'oialo, a 30-year-old veteran of 60 Tests and once a first-choice selection for every All Blacks side, replaced Kieran Read to start just his fourth Test of this year.

"Kieran Read has not played much recently as he's been injured," Henry said. "Rodney plays outstanding rugby at the international level and he's got an opportunity to continue that."

So'oialo, who captained the All Blacks four times last year, started the first three Tri-Nations Tests before being overtaken by Read.

"I'm really excited to play my rugby again," said the burly Hurricanes loose forward. "I'll just try and continue to do what I've done in order to get the jersey in the first place."

The All Blacks have already secured the 2009 Bledisloe Cup by sweeping the first three Tests against Australia this year, stretching a winning streak to six.

But Henry denied that the weekend match would be just a dead rubber ahead of a European tour for both sides.

"Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test," he said.

Henry added the All Blacks were also enjoying the Test build-up in Tokyo.

"We have been welcomed with open arms by the Japanese people and the team is certainly enjoying the hospitality and culture here and looking forward to playing in front of the Japanese fans."

It is just the second time a Bledisloe Cup Test has been played on neutral soil and follows on from last year?s successful ground-breaker in Hong Kong, which the All Blacks won 19-14.

When they run onto the field in Tokyo, it will be more than three hours 45 minutes since the Wallabies last scored a try against the All Blacks.

The All Blacks will again be captained by Crusaders loose forward Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 77th Test.