Leonard axed for Cowan's boot

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Having axed Brendon Leonard from his test team, Graham Henry tried to soften the blow by offering the halfback some words of consolation.

Leonard paid the price for his poor performance in the All Blacks' 28-19 loss to the 'Boks in Bloemfontein last weekend and has been ousted by Jimmy Cowan for Sunday morning's Tri-Nations test against the Springboks at Absa Stadium.

The replacement of Neemia Tialata, who sustained a knee injury last weekend and has not trained this week, by 21-year-old Owen Franks at tighthead prop is the only other change to the starting side. Prop John Afoa joins the bench as cover.

Although Cowan had a bright game in the win over the Wallabies on July 18, Henry still elected to pick Leonard in the hope his pace would benefit the All Blacks on the hard deck at Vodacom Park. But the strategy misfired as the Waikato man had arguably his worst performance in the black jersey.

Eager to square up the two-match series in South Africa, Henry has quickly called in his No 1 halfback, Jimmy Cowan, but offered his sympathy to Leonard who was despondent with his effort in Bloemfontein.

"He is deeply disappointed, we are all disappointed for him. He has a big future Brendon, I think he's a very good footballer,'' Henry offered.

"I just think he needs a bit more game time and he played when the All Blacks weren't playing particularly well. He will get another opportunity, hopefully not too far ahead and he will take it.''

There had been no dithering when the selectors met to discuss whether Cowan should play, either:  "He's had the experience, knows what's required. So it was a reasonably straight forward decision,'' Henry added.

The return of Cowan gives the All Blacks the option of using his big boot to get them out of their own territory, something they struggled to do in the opening 40 minutes last week.

The rise to the top for Franks - who earlier this year had not even made a Super 14 appearance - has been made complete by him winning his first start for the All Blacks after three appearances as a substitute.

Forwards coach Steve Hansen stated they were not prepared to take the risk of starting Tialata when he had not trained all week.

"He possibly could have been fit if we were prepared to leave him out of training and give him the week off. But you just can't prepare for a test like that.''

Although young for an international prop, Hansen had been keeping a close eye on Franks' progress through the national age-group teams and had spoken to the Crusaders coaches to assess their opinion of the young man.

"He's mentally tough. He's got a very, very single focus on what he wants to achieve and he works hard to achieve that. He's been on the radar for a long time. He's like his brother (Ben), he's played in underage sides and he's just come through very quickly this year.''

There was speculation changes might have been made at No 8 or second five-eighth as Henry sought ways to change the mix and reverse the slow starts, but instead stuck with those who have delivered for him in previous seasons and noted Ma'a Nonu, who will play his 15 successive test, can be only as good as the chances he is given by those around him.

"He's got to get the ball to do that and he's got to get in the right position to do that. I think it's important that if we are going to try to dominate the gainline through him, then he gets the ball conducive to do that.''

ALL BLACKS: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane.

SPRINGBOKS: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Adrian Jacobs, Wynand Olivier.

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