All Blacks drop Smith for Bok Test

Scrum-half Aaron Smith, hailed as the standout find for the All Blacks this year, has been dropped to the bench for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Dunedin. The 62-Test veteran Piri Weepu has instead been given his first starting role of the year on the back of a stirring performance when he came on for the last quarter of last week's Test against Argentina. The dropping of Smith is one of four changes to the All Blacks side which beat the South Americans 22-5 a week ago with lock Sam Whitelock, flanker Liam Messam and hooker Andrew Hore all earning a start. Smith, who possesses the swiftest pass in New Zealand which has been credited with giving his backs an extra edge, has started in all six previous Tests the All Blacks have played this year. But coach Steve Hansen indicated no one in the side can rest on their laurels despite the All Blacks being unbeaten after three matches. "At the halfway stage of the new Rugby Championship we are very happy, from a results point of view," he said. "There is a second challenge we have set ourselves -- to constantly improve our game -- and in that regard we are not the finished product." The return of Messam is not a surprise after Hansen rated him the leading blindside flanker after he gave Victor Vito a start last week while Brodie Retallick did not make the most of his start against Argentina and slips behind Whitelock. Among the replacements, Charlie Faumuina keeps out Ben Franks as the back up prop and Tamati Ellison takes over from Ben Smith in the back utility role. New Zealand (15-1) Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Tamati Ellison.