A lot resting on Kaino's shoulders

LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff.co.nz

MUSCLE OVER SPEED: The muscle of Jerome Kaino has seen him beat out the speed of Adam Thomson for the No 6 All Blacks jersey against France.

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Jerome Kaino's selection speaks volumes for what the All Blacks will face at Stade Velodrome on Sunday.

The muscle of Kaino has edged out the speed of Adam Thomson on the blindside flank in one of three changes to the side that beat England last weekend.

Neemia Tialata's considerable bulk beefs up the front row, with Owen Franks dropping to the reserves, while Cory Jane deservedly edges out Zac Guildford on the right wing.

Most of the side picks itself, but the three changes are all are sensible selections for what shapes as a pressure cooker atmosphere and the most physical battle of the year.

Perhaps the best guide to the task ahead is that France's forwards took the battle to South Africa's two weeks ago, and won comfortably.

It was largely the same Springbok pack the All Blacks failed to get the better of on three occasions during the Tri-Nations.

Speaking from Marseille yesterday, veteran L'Equipe rugby writer and expat Kiwi Ian Borthwick put France's recent form into perspective.

"It's certainly getting up there. You would say that victory against South Africa was one of the great wins of modern times in all aspects of the game," Borthwick said.

"The fact that physically they took South Africa on at their own game, you have to expect they will try to do the same to the All Blacks.

"That will probably mean playing a bit more rugby and they have a back row that allows them to do that. This French team is becoming a real force."

Big No8 Julien Bonnaire has been in rampant form behind a powerful pack, and Kaino's selection suggests it has not escaped the All Black selectors' attention.

For Kaino, 26, it is a bright end to a mixed year. His 25th test will be his ninth start this season. He was left out of the first test of the year, then reinstated for the Tri-Nations, before being dropped after the loss to South Africa in Hamilton.

Thomson had a blinder in the win over Australia in Wellington and Kaino's been playing catch-up since. But at 1.96m and 106kg, he has a shoulder capable of taking some of the sting out of the Tricolours' big pack.

Kaino played a key role against Wales' spirited effort and again off the bench against England, where he took some key lineout ball late in the match.

But he has not always delivered on his true potential during an All Blacks career that started in 2004. Last year he was superb in the black jersey and his physicality against South Africa in Cape Town was perhaps his best test. There would be no better place for Kaino to repeat the dose than in Marseille.

It is also notable that Rodney So'oialo is not included on the bench for this test. This tour was touted as the veteran's chance to re-establish his place in the test team, but he has gone from the starting No8, against Australia in Tokyo, to not making the matchday 22.

So'oialo retains an immense presence in the All Blacks squad and his mana after 62 tests remains, but in the minds of the selectors he has clearly slipped in the pecking order.

Similarly, Andy Ellis has leapfrogged Brendon Leonard and Anthony Boric has surpassed Jason Eaton. Tanerau Latimer will backupRichie McCaw at openside while it is assumed McCaw will move to No8 if Kieran Read is injured.

The All Blacks are injury-free with defence coach Wayne Smith playing down Ma'a Nonu's second day away from training with a bruised thigh.

Meanwhile, family comes first for Brad Thorn and Andy Ellis with the pair set to return to New Zealand after this weekend's test.

Ellis' wife is expecting their first child, while Thorn is heading home early to be with his wife and four children after four weeks on the road. The pair's early departure means they will miss the Barbarians match at Twickenham.

How They Line Up

All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (c), Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Anthony Boric, Tanerau Latimer, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Luke McAlister.

France: Damien Traille, Vincent Clerc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, Maxime Medard, Francois Trinh-Duc, Julien Dupuy, Julien Bonnaire, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Romain Millo-Chluski, Sebastien Chabal, Sylvain Marconnet, William Servat, Fabien Barcella. Reserves: Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Lionel Nallet, Julien Puricelli, Morgan Parra, Yann David, Cedric Heymans.

When and where: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, Sunday 8.30am
TV: Sky Sport 1 from 8am
Odds: New Zealand $1.60, France $2.20