Dane Coles returns to All Blacks line-up for Dunedin clash

Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles is set to make his 50th appearance for All Blacks as he was named in the line-up for the Rugby Championship clash against Australia to be played on Saturday in Dunedin.

The 30-year-old sustained a head injury during the practice game against Pukekohe last week that kept him out of the tournament opener against the same opposition in Sydney.

This will be his first appearance for New Zealand since November last year as he was recovering from a concussion that he sustained earlier this year while playing for his club Hurricanes and was forced to miss the three match Test series against British and Irish Lions that finished in a 1-1 draw.

Codie Taylor will be making way for Coles which remains the only change for the World Champions from the game in Sydney when they defeated Wallabies 54-34.

This will also be the last appearance for vice-captain Ben Smith this season as he is set to go on a sabbatical following the encounter.

Kane Hames and Scott Barrett are the fresh additions among the replacement in the place of Wyatt Crockett and Luke Romano respectively while Jerome Kaino continues to be out of contention as he is addressing his personal problem.

New Zealand line-up to face Australia: Damian McKenzie, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (captain)

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara,Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown