All Blacks: Win gives edge for next time

Winning Saturday's bruising encounter will lend the All Blacks an psychological advantage in their Tokyo rematch with the Wallabies. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Final Tri-Nations standings

When the All Blacks play next in Tokyo, they will carry a psychological arsenal for their fourth duel with the Wallabies this season.

If the test had a winner-take-all bounty, the All Blacks would be even more buoyant after sending their transtasman foes to a comprehensive 33-6 defeat on Saturday at the Cake Tin.

The All Blacks were direct, collected and in tune while the Wallabies were woeful.

The All Blacks celebrated their win with some warmth, knowing it was their best work of the season though they balanced that against the lack of firepower from the visitors.

In six weeks the sides will have their final battle of the year, in neutral territory, with both collecting plenty of coin before they jet on to Europe and tests against the Six Nations.

Until then the biggest game in town will be reading the selectors' minds.

They may take up to 34 players for the five tests against Australia, Wales, Italy, England and France before ending their trip with a December 5 match against the Barbarians.

Coach Graham Henry gave some inkling yesterday about their intentions when he mentioned there would be little room for new faces. It would be a further chance for the bulk of the Tri-Nations squad to spell out their value for the 2011 World Cup.

"That's part of the deal, one way or another," Henry said yesterday.

"It's a good way of guys getting their feet under the table with the All Blacks or not doing so.

"So there's pressure on individuals to play well but also big test matches to play as well."

Most of the All Blacks will have a fortnight's break now before resuming work in the national championship and then heading off for the Tokyo test on October 31.

Henry imagined a few younger prospects might be taken on the All Black trip but he preferred to select potential test players from the Super 14.

Experienced wing Joe Rokocoko agreed the All Blacks would take a psychological advantage into their final rematch with the Wallabies.

"If you get into these guys early and your body language is always positive and you are creating pressure, maybe some of the guys in their heads may be thinking 'here we go again' so it is crucial to keep creating that pressure."

Rokocoko has been given some selection leeway this season. His form has improved slowly and he moved into third place on the All Black test try-scoring list behind Doug Howlett and Christian Cullen, when he scored his 45th try in the final minute of the weekend win at Wellington.

It had been great to pay back the faith the selectors showed in him because they "had been going through a bit of hell" in the last couple of weeks.

Returning blindside flanker Adam Thomson confirmed his place in the tour party as one of an impressive loose forward trio with captain Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.

"We had a lot of go-forward and talked about winning that metre, making a tackle, getting up on your feet and getting over the ball, so I think most of the time we were doing that and getting a few turnovers," Thomson said.

Meanwhile, Henry confirmed three halfbacks and three hookers would be in the tour party, which would be without the injured trio of Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams and Richard Kahui.

Lock Bryn Evans is extremely doubtful as he recovers from surgery, Sitiveni Sivivatu is rehabbing a groin injury while Luke McAlister is due back soon after cheekbone surgery.

The spotlight will fall on all the fringe contenders who have been around the squad this season. There are a number. They include Rudi Wulf, Liam Messam, Lelia Masaga, George Whitelock, Tamati Ellison, Stephen Brett, and Colin Slade.

Then there are other former All Blacks on the comeback trail like Anthony Boric, Corey Flynn, Scott Waldrom and Andy Ellis.