All Blacks: Quintet get their day in the sun

Israel Dagg celebrates with Mils Muliaina. Photo / Getty Images

How things change in a few short months of All Black rugby success.

In June when the selectors made seven changes to the side for the second clash with Wales, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito and Owen Franks all missed the chosen XV.

The selectors were still twitchy about giving too many new or comeback crew a start, because of the run of ragged results last season.

Victory in Hamilton and five Tri-Nations test victories later, the quintet will all start tomorrow in Sydney against the Wallabies.

"It is their opportunity to play, a pat on the back for what they have been doing right through the last nine games," coach Graham Henry said.

Nine is also the magic number the All Blacks sit on in their run of success against the Wallabies since 2008, one they will look to extend against a side with Lachie Turner the only change on the wing instead of the injured Drew Mitchell.

Signals about the All Black alterations have been around since they annexed the Tri-Nations with their remarkable late come-from-behind win against the Boks in Soweto.

The quartet who miss the team or bench duties tomorrow are Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Joe Rokocoko and Benson Stanley.

After three starts in June, Stanley has not been required since in the 22 while Anthony Boric has been promoted to the bench after no previous Tri-Nations duties.

Those two, at least, are in a real fight to make the cut for the 30-strong group on the end of year tour.

Weepu starts his third test this year in a role reversal with halfback Jimmy Cowan, and will also be the premier goalkicker.

The rookies - Dagg, Vito and Cruden - have started just three tests between them although Dagg and Vito have had regular time from the bench.

"They will fit in very easily," Henry said. They had shown for some time they were ready for international rugby and it had been a case of picking the right time to inject their enthusiasm and talent.

"In Aaron's case, well, he is a very confident young man, he is a good footballer and has done it at the levels below and, because Daniel [Carter] has been there, he hasn't had the opportunity. I'm sure he is very keen and I think he will play well.

"He realises he is going through his apprenticeship and he has done very well at the levels below, he was international under-20 player of the year a couple of years ago and has been waiting for the opportunity.

"I think they [new trio] will be influential on the game."

This was a time when the All Blacks were setting their foundation plans for the five end-of-year tests and also had an eye on the World Cup.

"We have been thinking about the selections for that tour and what we want to achieve on that so I think it is one step at a time really and the Tri-Nations is that step, then the tour, then 2011 and what we need to do there," Henry said.

"I think we are on track."

The All Blacks had been rebuilt and they were tracking well but still needed to bring in more players as injury cover, which they would do later this season.