All Blacks opt not to bring in specialist first-five

Signs continue to point towards Leon MacDonald taking over as All Black first five-eighths and goalkicker for the final test against the Lions on Saturday.

The national selectors ignored the chance to bring in a specialist pivot after Daniel Carter damaged his shoulder and Aaron Mauger tweaked a hamstring in the brilliant 48-18 victory in Wellington.

Junior All Black five-eighths Nick Evans and Stephen Donald were overlooked, with the form of the more senior Evans not ready to warrant his selection for Eden Park, according to coach Graham Henry.

Picking Andrew Mehrtens would be sentimental, but no investment for the future.

Tighthead prop Carl Hayman is an unlikely starter because of an infected foot, but the selectors are not expected to make any other alterations.

There were also niggles for loosehead prop Tony Woodcock and back-up hooker Derren Witcombe.

"We will try to put out our strongest team on the field," Henry said.

"We have got enough changes as it is, that are compulsory.

"The group wants to complete the job and the group also needs to be patted on the back for what they have achieved."

The All Blacks wanted to end the series on a positive note. Anything else would not be the right entree to the Tri-Nations.

Utility back Luke McAlister and hooker Corey Flynn have been included as injury cover from the Juniors tour of Australia.

Flynn is covering for Witcombe, who strained a knee ligament at the weekend, while McAlister backs up the five-eighths and fullback roles, and is also a quality goalkicker.

The 21-year-old is likely to be a reserve, but could finally make his test debut after hamstring injuries interfered with plans to start him last year on the tour to Europe.

Henry would not confirm who would start in the No 10 jersey until tomorrow, but MacDonald seems the likely solution. He and Mauger were nominated as the original cover for Carter in the All Black squad.

It would be MacDonald's 29th international, but his first as the backline director.

Skipper Tana Umaga should slot into midfield, with Conrad Smith a hot chance to play at centre.

Most of MacDonald's test rugby has been at fullback, but he also played five matches at the 2003 World Cup as a goalkicking centre for the All Blacks when Umaga injured his knee.

With that tournament over, MacDonald left for a contract with the Yamaha club in Japan. For most of last year he played first five-eighths for the club.

His form at fullback in the Super 12 for the Crusaders was sharp and his test revival was confirmed after a powerful game for the New Zealand Maori in their victory against the Lions.

At the time assistant coach Wayne Smith said MacDonald and Mauger would do plenty of work with kicking coach Mick Byrne in their roles as goalkicking deputies for Carter.

"We think both of them mentally have the ability to become pretty good kickers if we can tighten up their techniques," Smith said.

The chance to test that idea with MacDonald looms at Eden Park. He has been with the squad for the past month, he is an experienced test player, a strong defender and has a useful kicking game.

Meanwhile, Henry confirmed the selectors would be looking closely at several in the Auckland side at Eden Park tonight to see whether they were ready or needed for the 26-strong Tri-Nations squad to be announced on Sunday.

Wing Joe Rokocoko and prop Saimone Taumoepeau were two players who would be observed carefully.