Read returns for New Zealand against Canada

New Zealand have been buoyed by the return at No 8 of Kieran Read for a World Cup Pool A game against Canada here on Sunday. Read, now recovered from an ankle sprain, slots in a backrow also featuring captain Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino, coach Graham Henry having made seven changes to the side that beat France 37-17. Centre Sonny Bill Williams starts in place of Ma'a Nonu, Israel Dagg moves from fullback to right wing and Zac Guildford slots in at left wing instead of the injured Richard Kahui. Jimmy Cowan comes in at scrum-half, with Piri Weepu moving to the bench as Henry continued to test his half-back pairings. Mils Muliaina will win his 99th cap at fullback, continuing his bid to become only the second All Black after McCaw to play 100 Tests. Up front, Andrew Hore replaces Keven Mealamu at hooker, and Ali Williams comes in for Brad Thorn at lock. "We are looking to improve each week during the Rugby World Cup, with an increase in intensity and execution, and we will be looking to do that again this week," said Henry. "We're making sure the backbone of the team is ticking over. "The Canadians have shown in this World Cup just what they are capable of, including a good win over Tonga and a hard-fought draw against Japan, so we are expecting a passionate contest." The match will be a milestone for Henry as a coach, he and assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith celebrating their 100th All Blacks Test. Dubbed "the three wise men", the trio were installed in the wake of New Zealand's failure in the 2003 World Cup. They have since amassed a win rate of around 85 percent, one of the most formidible records in international sport, despite their failure at the 2007 World Cup. At this tournament, the All Blacks opened with a 41-10 victory over Tonga before putting Japan to the sword, 83-7, and then overcoming the French. New Zealand (15-1) Mils Muliaina; Israel Dagg, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford; Daniel Carter, Jimmmy Cowan; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino; Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock; Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava