Stunned Guildford caps remarkable year

NZPA ©

A buzzing Zac Guildford was centre of attention at the All Blacks' team hotel after being confirmed as one of six changes for Sunday's rugby test against Wales in Cardiff.

The 20-year-old from Hawke's Bay will wear the No 11 jersey vacated by Sitiveni Sivivatu who sits out a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle during the All Blacks' 32-19 win over the Wallabies in Tokyo.

"I'm still in a bit of shock. Happy can't really describe it. I can't find a word, I'm just really excited about the game," Guildford said.

The star of the New Zealand under-20 side forced his way into the squad with a 13-try haul for Hawke's Bay in the Air NZ Cup and had continued to impress since joining the All Blacks squad.

Selection capped a remarkable year for the Masterton-born winger whose father Rob died aged 44 in the stands during the under-20 tournament in Tokyo in June.

Said coach Graham Henry: "Zac's had his challenges during the year and he's met them well. He's used those as motivation and achieved a goal earlier than he expected, I'd imagine."

The other backline change sees halfback Brendon Leonard swap with Jimmy Cowan, while in the forwards one-test prop Wyatt Crockett replaces the suspended Tony Woodcock, lock Jason Eaton replaces Tom Donnelly, flanker Jerome Kaino replaces Adam Thomson and Kieran Read reclaims the No 8 jersey from Rodney So'oialo who missed the squad altogether.

Star pivot Dan Carter was named at No 10 for the Millennium Stadium test despite taking no part in the team run at the Ospreys training ground at Neath today due to a bruised calf muscle.

Stephen Donald trained at first five-eighth in a rain-lashed session, but it was always planned for Carter to rest today as he sits just 15 points short of Andrew Mehrtens' All Blacks test pointscoring record of 967.

Still, he'll need to come through tomorrow's session at the Cardiff Rugby Club to put the final tick beside his name.

"I guess it's always questionable. He's not 100 percent at the moment... we'll just communicate and see how he is. If he's not right then Stephen Donald will play," Henry said.

Captain Richie McCaw later said Carter had expressed confidence he'd be fit to play.

The All Blacks coaching trio were true to their word about giving most players a chance to impress on this six-match tour with a view to the 2011 World Cup.

"We need to know if all these players are up to international standard and they get opportunities to prove that. We're using this game for one or two of those question marks," Henry said.

Eaton was clearly one of those, having not started a test since August 2007 against Australia, then undergoing a knee reconstruction which ruined his 2008 season.

His four tests this year were off the bench, including a brief appearance in Tokyo.

Leonard also gets his chance after a frustrating season where Cowan established himself as the first choice halfback.

The speedy Waikato No 9 started just two tests this year, against Italy and South Africa.

In the loose forwards, Read and Kaino wrested back their starting spots after missing out in close selection calls in Tokyo.

Read, the form No 8 this season, was expected to return while Kaino continued his tight selection battle with Thomson who was impressive in Tokyo and contributed to a solid lineout effort.

Crockett was a predictable replacement at loosehead prop, having made his debut against Italy in June then waited patiently in Woodcock's shadow until he copped a one-match ban for striking on Saturday.