KEY POINTS:
It was hard to tell who was coming off a defeat when the All Blacks and England unveiled rearranged sides for their return clash on Saturday.
There were four changes to the All Blacks and two positional alterations, while England made six amendments and moved prop Matt Stevens
to the tighthead for their last international of the season.
Almost all the navel-gazing came in the backlines, England by necessity after their poor defensive showing at Eden Park while the All Blacks have challenged others to match what was produced last weekend at Eden Park. Those changes mean test debuts for Richard Kahui and Rudi Wulf, a fullback return for Leon MacDonald and a switch of wing for Sitiveni Sivivatu in the backline.
For Wulf his debut is a remarkable return, after breaking his neck in a hotel swimming pool accident a few years ago, and a reward for being consistently the best wing at the Blues for the last few seasons.
The one forward change is blindside flanker Adam Thomson which allows Rodney So'oialo to return to his far more familiar work at No 8.
Coach Graham Henry defended his policy of replacing players after such a decisive 37-20 victory in Auckland, as an investment for the start of the lengthy Tri-Nations tournament in a tick over a fortnight.
Victory was the primary objective but there was also the need to give some of the new players a chance to experience test rugby.
"The challenge we have set for this weekend is to do both of these things at the same time and we have faith in the players that they can do it," Henry said.
With the new caps and Thomson, who was only used as a sub against Ireland, Henry said there was the chance for them to experience test match rugby and to get accustomed to it.
"It is a big call, there was a lot of discussion about selection, it took some time," Henry said.
"We have to do well in this test and that was our primary concern and we also need to make sure that players are also accustomed to playing test match rugby and we had to blood them at this level. Trying to get that balance right was a major concern."
Kahui has long been in the All Black selectors sights and but for a shoulder problem last year he might have been taken to the World Cup. Leg injuries have slowed his progress again this year but the selectors have persevered with him.
"He needs to play, he needs to get on the track and experience this level of football," Henry said of his centre.
The selectors were delighted with their backline last week but also felt they needed to look at the future so gave the others a chance to show their skills and put the heat on.
"They might be better than the guys who played so we will just have to wait and see on that," Henry said.
There was considerable debate among the selection panel of Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen about strategy for this game.
Those decisions took far longer than worrying about comments from England caretaker coach Rob Andrew that Richie McCaw cheated, several forward passes were missed, that England's scrum was unfairly treated and referee Nigel Owens had stayed in the All Blacks hotel.
"European sides are always contesting his [McCaw's] legality at the tackle area," said Henry.
"I guess we are used to it and he is the best player in the world in that particular position in that particular skill and people find it hard to handle. We are very fortunate to have a player of that immense ability playing in that particular position, which attracts a bit of interest because he does turn over a bit of ball.
"Next question."
There were plenty. Like asking assistant coach Steve Hansen how his side was going in rectifying their lineout ills of last week, why Adam Thomson was playing, why England created little behind the scrum at Eden Park but were better, early, in the cleanouts, and the makeup of the reserves.
England felt the Eden Park test was won and lost in midfield, with Andrew "disappointed' at the soft concession of tries through that area. The reaction had shown in the changes and the coach was certain the defence would improve this week.
The pack had done well, on review at Eden Park, and but for the injured Sheridan, deserved to be retained.
Meanwhile Hansen felt Rodney So'oialo had succeeded as a blindside flanker but in this game Thomson was best suited to flanker, which pushed So'oialo back to his usual No 8 role.
The changes had been successful and, in this test, McCaw and Thomson would continue the strategy of playing as left and right flankers, which had succeeded in Auckland.
All Blacks
Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
England
Mathew Tait, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Jamie Noon, Tom Varndell, Toby Flood, Danny Care, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick (captain), Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Tim Payne.
Reserves: David Paice, Jason Hobson, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Pete Richards, Olly Barkley, David Strettle.
