KEY POINTS:
Rugby's new rules have been dismissed as irrelevant, with the All Blacks and Springboks both convinced old fashioned virtues will win out in tonight's opening Tri-Nations test in Wellington.
After a month of unedifying inter-hemisphere matches, the world No 1 ranking is up for grabs between two heavyweight teams with major post-World Cup points to make.
It has rained every day in Wellington this week, often in buckets, suggesting trench warfare and kicking nous will win out over speed of hand and foot.
That could favour the world champion South Africans and their vastly experienced pack although a raw-looking New Zealand side have a desire to prove themselves, a 29-test home record streak to defend and the left boot of first five-eighth Daniel Carter to guide them around Westpac Stadium.
The Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) that sped up this year's Super 14 will make their test debut but their impact may be washed away by the weather.
It also remains to be seen whether two more new laws - reducing lineout number and legalising maul collapses - will play a major part.
New All Blacks captain Rodney So'oialo said limited time has been spent on second-guessing the impact they might make.
"Rugby's so much more than those two rules so we're just trying to focus on what can do better and what we haven't done well in the past," So'oialo said.
The All Blacks' lineout woes and lack of breakdown muscle against England will have been noted by the Springboks.
The latter isn't helped by the absence of injured skipper Richie McCaw while the presence of Springboks lineout kingpin Victor Matfield has put So'oialo on high alert and also relieved that lock Ali Williams has been cleared to play after recovering from an ankle sprain.
"We are playing the best lineout in the world. They've got Matfield back and he controls that area and we'll certainly be doing our homework around it."
The loose forward battle has been hyped all week.
The tourists have added another experienced, bruising worker in No 8 Joe van Niekerk to join World Cup starring flankers Juan Smith and Schalk Burger while So'oialo must inspire left-right flank comrade Adam Thomson and No 8 Jerome Kaino, both yet to face South Africa.
All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen reckoned that battle would be decided by which tight five can snatch control.
New Zealand will be banking on a scrum advantage and, if they can't get it, may struggle to contain their opposites elsewhere, van Niekerk said.
"Perhaps we've got more experience but they've got some really important players within their pack as well," he said.
"Whoever gets the physical ascendancy will be the winners. It won't take 20 minutes, it's going to take probably 60 to get that little edge."
Both coaches are experiencing the ELVs for the first time while three overseas based starting Springboks will also get their first taste - first five-eighth Butch James and the enduring combination of Matfield and hooker/captain John Smit.
South African mentor Peter de Villiers had no doubt the trio would settle straight into the rules, having arrived in camp well prepared on how to play them.
Carter said James had improved considerably at No 10 in recent seasons and wouldn't allow the leeway England and Ireland granted New Zealand's attack through the inside channel last month.
"Butch is extremely physical, a great defender as everyone knows and he's got a good attacking game as well," Carter said.
"He had a great year last year and probably stepped up a level.
"They'll be confident and fair enough. They've got some real game-breakers in their backline and they'll be silly not to use them."
But whether the likes of opposing world class wingers Bryan Habana and Sitiveni Sivivatu get to run at each other will depend on conditions, the attitude of both sides and referee Stuart Dickinson's rulings at the tackle.
Australian Dickinson's appointment represents a possible omen for both sides.
The All Blacks have lost just one of their eight tests he has controlled but that defeat was against England here five years ago, the last time New Zealand lost at home.
- NZPA
