Joe Rokocoko was recalled to the New Zealand starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations test against South Africa with coach Graham Henry confident the wing could put a lacklustre few months behind him.

In the only other change to the team after the All Blacks opened their title defence with a 22-16 victory over Australia last weekend, scrumhalf Brendon Leonard was picked ahead of Jimmy Cowan for the match in Bloemfontein.

"They were very much horses for courses selections and I don't see any reason why the changes will make the team any weaker," forwards coach Steve Hansen told reporters on Wednesday.

Fijian-born Rokocoko, who has scored nine tries against the Springboks, just one shy of Christian Cullen's New Zealand record, played in the three tests against France and Italy earlier this year and struggled.

"His form hasn't been great this year but he's trained well the last couple of weeks and I believe he's ready to go," said Henry.

"He has experience, he's played a large number of tests in South Africa and done very well against them. He's played 55 tests for the All Blacks and I'm sure he will want to prove himself again."

Henry said Leonard's selection was geared towards a pacier game plan on a traditionally hard and fast surface in Bloemfontein.

"The conditions may suit his style. He's quick and pretty sharp on the break," he said.

Henry added that he had been reluctant to drop Cowan after he produced a fine showing against the Wallabies.

"Jimmy had one of his better tests in an All Black jersey, maybe his best, so it was a huge decision, definitely our most difficult selection," he said.

Piri Weepu keeps his place among the replacements and Henry said the scrumhalf's role was to finish for the All Blacks.

"Piri is the guy who comes on and changes the game for us," the coach said.

Hansen said he expected loose forwards Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo, who both made their returns from injury against Australia, to have big games on Saturday.

"Richie and Rodney are not yet at their best but they'll both be better for having had a game," he said.

"So they're both further down the track now and we can expect a big performance from them."

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Joe Rokocoko, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Stephen Donald, 9-Brendon Leonard, 8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Isaac Ross, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Neemia Tialata, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Owen Franks, 18-Jason Eaton, 19-Kieran Read, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Luke McAlister, 22-Cory Jane.

--reuters--