 Sivivatu ran in two tries for the probables in the All Blacks trial |
Sitiveni Sivivatu will make his All Blacks debut against his native Fiji on 10 June as one of five new caps. Hooker Derren Witcombe and lock James Ryan are also named in the starting line-up, while prop Campbell Johnstone and wing Sosene Anesi are on the bench.
Fiji have kept faith with the same side that lost 29-27 in a warm-up game with the New Zealand Maori last Friday.
Sivivatu, 23, never represented Fiji but scored against the All Blacks last season playing for the Pacific Islands.
Sivivatu has had to serve a three-year stand-down period to switch his allegiance to New Zealand.
"The expectation is that he will continue his good form at international level," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry.
The selection of Sivivatu, who scored twice in the All Blacks trial match on Friday, seems to increase the pressure on Joe Rokocoko, who is his cousin.
Rokocoko has a superb strike record of 27 tries in 23 Tests, but was off the boil in the Super 12 and was demoted to the Sevens squad in a bid to restore his confidence - but Henry insists he remains in contention.
"Joe is under consideration," Henry told a news conference on Monday.
"He has been exceptional in the test matches he has played but we thought he lacked a bit of confidence in the Super 12 and we wanted to give him the opportunity to regain that and take on people."
And Henry insisted that the competition for places could only improve the All Blacks chances - Rico Gear, Ma'a Nonu and Test incumbents Sivivatu and Doug Howlett are all competiting for places.
Full attention
"One of the strengths of New Zealand rugby is that we have five wingers who we are looking at," said Henry.
"There is a bit of pressure because there is a lot of competition in the wing position but that won't do any harm because they respond to pressure."
Friday's one-off Test is New Zealand's only warm-up ahead of the three-Test Lions series.
Fiji narrowly lost 29-27 to the New Zealand Maori on Friday and Henry said his side would not take their opponents lightly.
"This is a Test match against a side that performed admirably last week against the New Zealand Maori," said Henry.
"They will require our full attention."
Several leading All Blacks were not considered for the match with the likes of Nonu and Anton Oliver out with injury, and Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah, Carl Hayman and Gear all in the Maori side to play the Lions.
"For a first-up performance for us that wasn't too bad last week," Fiji coach Wayne Pivac told the New Zealand Press Association.
"Traditionally, Fijian sides start off slowly because our players are coming together from all over the globe really.
"We had some early niggles in the week and some illness in the camp before we played the Maori so to come through that game in 30C heat, we're reasonably satisfied.
"Obviously there's plenty to work on but I think both sides got a lot out of benefit out of it."
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher; Tony Woodcock, Derren Witcombe, Greg Somerville, James Ryan, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Campbell Johnstone, Chris Jack, Mose Tuiali'i, Justin Marshall, Conrad Smith, Sosene Anesi.
Fiji: Norman Ligairi; Vilimoni Delasau, Viliame Satala, Seremaia Bai, Sireli Bobo; Nicky Little, Mosese Rauluni (captain); Sisa Koyamaibole, Aca Ratuva, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Isoa Domolailai, Akuila Matanibukaca, Bill Cavubati, Viliame Gadolo, Joe Bale.
Replacements: Jacob Rauluni, Epeli Ruivadra/Joe Tora, Sunia Koto, Jone Railomo, Jone Qovu, Sam Tabua, Seva Rokobara.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
There is a bit of pressure because there is a lot of competition in the wing position but that won't do any harm because they respond to pressure