All Blacks omit Thomson

NEW Zealand have opted not to recall flanker Adam Thomson for tomorrow’s 
Test match against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Thomson is available after serving a one-week ban, imposed after he was cited for stamping on Scotland forward Alasdair Strokosch’s head at Murrayfield 11 days ago. But the International Rugby Board has now appealed what it describes as the leniency of that sanction, and the All Blacks coaches did not consider Thomson for this weekend’s clash.

The Six Nations Committee have announced that the IRB appeal against Thomson’s sanction will be heard in London this afternoon. The appeal committee will be chaired by His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, assisted by his fellow Englishman Jeremy Summers and Ireland’s Pat Barriscale.

Wales, meanwhile, were dealt a massive blow when wing George North was ruled out with a hip injury. His Scarlets colleague Liam Williams will take his slot on the left wing.

Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff); A Cuthbert (Cardiffs), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff), L Williams (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); P James (Bath), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jarvis (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff), L Charteris (Perpignan), R Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff, capt), T Faletau (Dragons). Subs: K Owens (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Toulon), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Knoyle (Scarlets), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).

New Zealand: I Dagg; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Savea; D Carter, A Smith; T Woodcock, A Hore, O Franks, L Romano, S Whitelock, L Messam, R McCaw (capt), K Read. Subs: D Coles, W Crockett, C Faumuina, B Retallick, V Vito, P Weepu, A Cruden, B Smith.