rwc15-Moody replaces Crockett in one change for All Blacks

WEYBRIDGE – Joe Moody has replaced Wyatt Crockett at loosehead prop in the only change to New Zealand’s starting side for Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa at Twickenham.

Crockett suffered a groin injury and was replaced in the first half of last weekend’s 62-13 quarter-final win over France. Ben Franks will take Moody’s place on the replacements bench.

Nehe Milner-Skudder, who has scored five tries in the tournament, has shaken off a shoulder knock and starts on the wing.

The All Blacks have been give permission to fly over Waikato Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu who has been put on stand-by to join the squad.

He will not be allowed to train with the team and coach Steve Hansen said the move was a precaution as they were expecting Crockett quot;to be alright next week quot;.

Hansen said Moody, who impressed after coming off the bench in the mauling of France, was an automatic choice to start ahead of Franks.

quot;Ben Franks is a very good prop. He covers both sides but Joe Moody is a specialist. He has shown us he is a very good player — he showed that last week. It was a no-brainer. quot;

Richie McCaw will set a World Cup record in captaining his side for the 12th time in the competition and Hansen hailed quot;one of the great leaders of world rugby quot;.

quot;He’s been an exceptional player, quot; Hansen said of the loose forward who will win his 147th cap against the Springboks but is not expected to prolong his international career beyond this year.

quot;There is a lot of mental fortitude there. We’ve been through some tough times, and had success in those tough times, and that breeds I guess a deep-seated self-belief.

quot;He’s been a real good competitor from day one and he’s managed to keep evolving throughout his career. When he first started he couldn’t catch a cold. Had four feet. The big thing he could do was pinch ball at the breakdown. Now he’s a complete rugby player. quot;

New Zealand have plenty of respect for South Africa, Hansen said, but the hardest task this week was re-focussing after the plaudits received from their nine-try demolition of France.

quot;Externally, everybody has got a little bit carried away with themselves, they’ve made some outrageous statements, quot; he said. quot;Internally, there is an emotional high that comes with playing like that.

quot;You have to enjoy that moment and you can’t hide from it. But you have to put a full stop in it otherwise you don’t go from great to great, you go from great to struggling. quot;

New Zealand team:

1-Joe Moody, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Owen Franks, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Jerome Kaino, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 8-Kieran Read; 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Dan Carter, 11-Julian Savea, 12-Ma’a Nonu, 13-Conrad Smith, 14-Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15-Ben Smith

Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Charlie Faumuina, 19-Victor Vito, 20-Sam Cane, 21-Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Sonny Bill Williams. – Nampa-Reuters

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