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Richie McCaw has been ruled out of the All Blacks team for Saturday's opening Tri-Nations rugby test against the Wallabies in Wellington.
Marty Holah will take his place at openside flanker.
The blow comes after coach Graham Henry warned the All Blacks' mental intensity had dropped since vanquishing England.
He said they and will need to see it return if they are to beat Australia here on Saturday and retain rugby's Bledisloe Cup.
McCaw is still feeling the effects of a concussion he suffered in the first test against England on June 12.
He missed the second test against England after suffering headaches but played against Argentina before being forced out again with headaches against the Pacific Islands last Saturday.
Henry ruled him out of the run-on side today after naming him in the starting 15 yesterday.
McCaw had trained with the team in a light session on Monday but missed the sessions yesterday and today.
The first test against England at Carisbrook, won 36-3, remains the standout performance under Henry's reign.
They made a slow start before winning the second test at Eden Park 36-12 but have lacked execution in downing Argentina 41-7 at Hamilton and the Pacific Islanders 41-26 at Albany on Saturday.
Henry admitted his players had struggled to reach a peak mental state in their last two tests. It was understandable but couldn't continue.
"We were playing the world champions in the first two games and you build up in reaction to playing the world champions, it creates that sort of climate," Henry said.
"No disrespect to Argentina or the Pacific Islanders but they are not the world champions and are not considered to be among the top 3-4 teams in the world."
Playing a Tri-Nations test or a European giant like France, England or the British Lions created a more focused feel without the need for any sort of motivation.
"You get a different intensity, a different build-up and I'd imagine the intensity would be back there again on Saturday," Henry said.
"If we don't play up to our top potential, we're going to be second."
Henry said the Wallabies had also saved their best so far this season for England but expected he would see it again at Westpac Stadium.
Australian halfback and captain George Gregan has been ruled out with a shoulder injury but Henry didn't believe that would weaken the visitors. Nor did he give credence to suggestions that Gregan might make a late appearance.
He felt that the 99-test veteran would play an important off-field role for the Wallabies this week and that his replacement, New South Wales veteran Chris Whitaker, was a test standard No 9.
"He (Whitaker) captains the side he plays in (the Waratahs) and I don't think they'll suffer at all from George not playing in a one-off game," Henry said.
Gregan's absence means his New Zealand opposite and good friend Justin Marshall will take the lead in the race to play the most Tri-Nations tests.
Both have currently played 31 out of a possible 32 games. Gregan's other missed game was also at Wellington, the first ever Tri-Nations test, which the All Blacks won 43-6 at Athletic Park. Marshall missed the win over South Africa at Auckland in 2001.
Both players have also been part of 19 Bledisloe Cup tests each, so the Canterbury veteran will be the first to 20.
Marshall had limited experience against Whitaker, aside from Super 12 level, but had some idea of what to expect.
"I think you keep more of an eye on someone like Chris because he's confrontational and will take the ball into contact a lot more than George," Marshall said.
"Test matches are 2-3 steps up from Super 12. I'm aware of what he's good at and not good at playing Super 12 but he's around different players in a test match and he'll be a different player himself."
Australian coach Eddie Jones was to name his starting team this afternoon.
New Zealand team:
Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, Xavier Rush, Richie McCaw, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws. Reserves: Nick Evans, Sam Tuitupou, Byron Kelleher, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore.
- NZPA
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