Talented Weepu pressing his claim for top ranking

It is rotation repackaged, but for Piri Weepu the final match of the Tri-Nations is more than an end-of-campaign platitude.

The All Blacks have made five changes for tomorrow's test against Australia with Weepu, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Victor Vito and Owen Franks coming in to the starting XV.

With the Tri-Nations wrapped up, coach Graham Henry said the selections were a "pat on the back" for players who had contributed toward the nine wins to date.

Cruden replaces an injured Dan Carter at first five-eighth as the search continues for a viable World Cup contingency plan.

Vito gets another chance, though it is hard to see Jerome Kaino displaced just yet, while Franks was always going to reclaim his spot at tighthead after a "rest".

Weepu, though, is a different story. Henry yesterday described his halfback as "gifted" and a strong end to the season will confirm he has passed Jimmy Cowan in the pecking order.

Weepu has not always done his potential justice during his 43-test career. There have been weight issues and lazy training but he has earned his start, the third of the test season.

"When I had my talk to the coaches mid or end of Super 14 everything had to change for me," he said yesterday.

"It was a matter of picking myself up and playing the game the way I wanted to rather than just dropping my lip."

Most significantly he had his first child, a daughter called Keira, who is inspiring him more with every week.

"I guess for me it's been awesome to have my own daughter, getting up and changing her nappy and doing everything you want to do when you are a father. Taking that out on to the field gives you a bit of energy and a reason to play footy."

Meanwhile, Australia has made one change to their starting side with Lachie Turner replacing the injured Drew Mitchell on the wing.

- © Fairfax NZ News