The under-pressure All Blacks have punted on an out-of-condition prop and a late-blooming lock in a major overhaul ahead of Saturday's battle to avoid the Tri-Nations wooden-spoon.

In a rare salute to Australia's improving set-piece play, New Zealand coach Graham Henry named repentant front-rower Neemia Tialata and Otago lineout stalwart Tom Donnelly, 30, in his tight-five in reaction to the weekend's 32-29 loss to South Africa.

While five starters were finally dumped after the selectors mulled over changes for an extra 24 hours, in contrast to the Wallabies' unchanged 22, Henry denied there were any scapegoats from the Waikato Stadium defeat.

Stephen Donald was turfed after his forgettable display at inside centre, flanker Jerome Kaino replaced by Adam Thompson, and Owen Franks and the mercurial Isaac Ross made way for the bulky Tialata and Donnelly, respectively.

Tialata's selection at tight-head comes a month after he was dumped following back-to-back losses in South Africa and a day after he apologised for "embarrassing" comments in blasting Wellington provincial coaches on Facebook for not giving him playing time.

Henry can't be certain the 127kg prop will last the first half due to his lack of fitness but stressed he was the strongest scrummager to take on the red-hot Benn Robinson.

"We're a wee bit concerned about the amount of football he's played in recent times but we think that's the best selection," the coach said.

"I don't think he's going to be an 80-minute footballer.

"Somewhere between 30 and 80, I suppose."

Speedster Cory Jane takes over from the injured Sitiveni Sivivatu, while Isaia Toeava moves into outside centre in a new midfield combination with the destructive Ma'a Nonu.

"There was a lot of thought gone into the changes," Henry said.

"There are no scapegoats from last weekend."

Henry argued his team played at both ends of "the spectrum" in Hamilton, but was full of praise for the final 20 minutes when they stormed home and went inches from stealing the match.

The win by the world-champion Springboks, partly courtesy of an intercept try and three 60m penalty goals from Frans Steyn, gave them the Tri-Nations title and left the trans-Tasman rivals fighting for second place in the tournament's final Test in Wellington.

"They (South Africa) deserved to win the Test match but it was a close run thing," Henry admitted.

His Wallabies coaching counterpart, Robbie Deans, is paying no attention to NZ media claims Henry's side is one of the worst to play for the All Blacks.

"It doesn't matter who they wheel out there, they are an experienced group of players," former All Black Deans said on flying into Wellington on Wednesday afternoon.

"We know that we're in a contest this weekend where the All Blacks have taken a bit of flak I understand and we know how they respond under that circumstance."

All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt.), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Res: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear.

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