All Blacks: Henry sticks to the tried and true

Josevata 'Joe' Rokocoko will make his 63rd test appearance this weekend. Photo / Steven McNicholl

All Black coach Graham Henry Graham Henry yesterday draped a paternal arm across the shoulders of an old favourite, while giving a couple of tyros a clip around the ear.

Henry named his first 22-man Tri-Nations team of the year that was light on imagination and heavy on experience.

In doing so he again felt the need to shield under-fire wing Joe Rokocoko from his critics.

The 62-test veteran has been restored to the starting XV for Saturday's Eden Park showdown, one of four changes from the side that faced Wales in Hamilton.

He replaces Zac Guildford, who did not make the Tri-Nations squad, while Ma'a Nonu comes in at second five-eighths in place of Benson Stanley.

Conrad Smith is the other backline change, reclaiming the No 13 jersey as Richard Kahui moves to the bench.

Owen Franks is the only change in the forwards, replacing Neemia Tialata.

On the bench, Corey Flynn replaces Aled de Malmanche, Ben Franks comes in as prop cover and Liam Messam wins the loose forward spot that Adam Thomson occupied in Hamilton.

Sam Whitelock is preferred as reserve lock over Anthony Boric and Kahui's experience has won him the nod to cover the outside backs ahead of the mercurial Rene Ranger.

"It's important to play the experienced players initially and let them prove they're good enough to be there," Henry said. "I'm sure they are and guys like Israel Dagg and Rene Ranger ... will get their opportunity in time."

It was a statement that could be applied to many in the squad but seems especially relevant to the situation with Rokocoko.

It is hard to imagine a more compelling case for selection than that put forward by Hosea Gear during the Maori centenary series, but Henry said last week the key to wing play in test matches was to be able to link with the other "back three" players and that was something the Aucklander did well. He continued his defence of Rokocoko yesterday.

"He's played very well during the Super 14 and during the first test matches this year," he said.

"Quite frankly, I think the media attention is not warranted. I don't think it's because of the way Joe is playing, it is probably because there are other guys who could play in that position who are playing particularly well."

Henry pointed to his form in the Super 14 and against Ireland and Wales this year as examples of why they had made the right choice.

"I don't think it is helping Joe, the edge that is being written about him at the moment."

Henry was less inclined to add his weight in defence of a scrum that struggled against Wales, with the Franks brothers instead finding themselves in the cross-hairs.

"We were disappointed in our scrummaging against the Welsh," Henry said. "They [Owen and Ben] played very well at the scrum at Super 14 level and didn't play so well in the last test matches. They've trained pretty well so we're hoping we can turn that around."

While Henry has leaned heavily on experience, it is also an act of faith as some of his side have played little rugby this year.

Fullback Mils Muliaina and Tom Donnelly showed enough in one test against Wales to suggest they've ironed out most of the wrinkles accumulated through three months of doing very little.

Nonu's situation is even more acute. He will be expected to provide muscle and bump in the backline with just 70 minutes of club rugby behind him since injuring his knee against the Waratahs on May 14.

NEW ZEALAND

Mils Muliaina
Cory Jane
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu
Joe Rokocoko
Dan Carter
Jimmy Cowan
Kieran Read
Richie McCaw(c)
Jerome Kaino
Tom Donnelly
Brad Thorn
Owen Franks
Keven Mealamu
Tony Woodcock

Reserves
Corey Flynn
Ben Franks
Sam Whitelock
Liam Messam
Piri Weepu
Aaron Cruden
Richard Kahui

Eden Park, 7.35pm Saturday