All Blacks: Planning to shake off deja vu

Liam Messam, Keven Mealamu and Lelia Masaga relax in Porirua. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The French could afford to laugh. They had won the opening test and then watched New Zealand's first sporting disembowelling this year.

They said they were not surprised at the All Black changes for the second test on Saturday in Wellington nor were they afraid to make several of their own for the return clash.

Tricolores' coach Marc Lievremont spoke of the increased threat from the All Blacks after their lacklustre attacking prowess in Dunedin.

The return of Conrad Smith to midfield, Keven Mealamu at hooker and the rejigged backrow with new selections Tanerau Latimer and Jerome Kaino would give the All Blacks a better balance, he said. The specialist talents of openside flanker Latimer would also test the French more at the breakdowns.

"We would have picked the same team," Lievremont said with a straight face.

He could have some fun as this week, all the pressure is on the All Blacks.

They are squirming under the heat of the last week's defeat and the absence of a group of injured players like Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Anthony Boric and Brendon Leonard.

There was a selection reaction from the All Blacks for the second test while France also made changes with Perpignan players Nicolas Mas coming in at tighthead prop and Maxime Mermoz at centre with Sebastien Chabal starting at lock as France balanced their desire to win the series and retain enough sting for their final test against the Wallabies.

"It is going to be very tough because the All Blacks will be hurting," said assistant coach Emile Ntamack, who was part of the 1994 series win in New Zealand. "But we will be good rivals for them again, there is confidence in the team.

"We came here on this tour to be a more consistent team. We want to play several games at a high level, not just one."

The French also want to ramp up their attack. Ntamack feels they performed to only 60 per cent of their ability in Dunedin and the exciting Mermoz has been picked ahead of the defensive juggernaut Mathieu Bastareaud. Mermoz is a smaller player but like Smith, brings a wide array of skills and strong temperament to his play and, according to the former French midfield whizz and current manager Jo Maso, is a great talent.

Mermoz and tighthead Mas played for Perpignan, who won the French club championship.

All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu has signed a new contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Chiefs and Waikato winger, who is recovering from an injured shoulder, will remain with New Zealand until 2011.

Wellington, 7.35pm Saturday

ALL BLACKS
Mils Muliaina (c)
Cory Jane
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu
Joe Rokocoko
Stephen Donald
Jimmy Cowan
Kieran Read
Tanerau Latimer
Jerome Kaino
Isaac Ross
Brad Thorn
Neemia Tialata
Keven Mealamu
Tony Woodcock

FRANCE
Maxime Medard
Vincent Clerc
Maxime Mermoz
Damien Traille
Cedric Heymans
F.Trinh-Duc
Julien Dupuy
Louis Picamoles
F. Ouedraogo
T. Dusautoir (c)
R. Millo-Chluski
Sebastien Chabal
Nicolas Mas
William Servat
Fabien Barcella

All Blacks: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Bryn Evans, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava

France: Dimitri Szarzewski, Thomas Domingo, Remy Martin, Damien Chouly, Dimitri Yachvili, Yannick Jauzion, Mathieu Bastareaud.