Praise For 'champ' Coles As All Blacks Ring Changes Against Japan

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Urayasu, Japan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2018 ) :All Blacks coach Steve Hansen praised Dane Coles on Thursday after the inspirational hooker fought back from nearly a year on the sidelines to headline a second-string side against Japan.

Hansen said Coles, 31, would have wondered whether his career was over after he suffered a serious knee injury against France last November, needing two operations.

The World Cup-winner is the senior player in a match-day squad featuring eight new caps after last week's thumping 37-20 win over Australia.

The All Blacks called up loose forward Dalton Papalii and midfielder Matt Proctor to a new-look XV, with six more players set to make their debuts from the bench in Tokyo on Saturday.

Luke Whitelock, who skippered the side against a France XV last year, will captain for the first time in a Test against the 2019 World Cup hosts.

Japan line up with a virtually full-strength side, although wing Lomano Lemeki has pulled out with a foot injury.

Hansen was delighted to welcome Coles back from his injury nightmare for what will be his 57th appearance in the famous black jersey.

"It's great to have the champ back," said Hansen. "He's had to work really hard and he's gone through some moments in his own head where he was probably wondering if it's ever going to happen.

"That frustration is a killer," he added. "It can send you places you don't want to go. I didn't have any doubts but I'm not in his body, I'm not feeling his frustrations. But he's a player worth waiting for."Whitelock follows in the footsteps of brother Sam, who captained the team for the first time last year. He will also become the 70th player to skipper the All Blacks when he leads them out against Japan.